July 12, 2013
NAIDOC Week celebrates history, culture and achievements … and all three were highlighted in the big community celebration held at the Ration Shed Museum complex in Cherbourg on Thursday.
History … visitors checked out the timeline displays, museum exhibits and had the opportunity to watch short films about Cherbourg.
Culture … lots of traditional dancing, music and art.
Achievements … the presentation of community awards by Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and the announcement of the winners of the recent NAIDOC art competition.
The Community Open Day attracted busloads of students to the town as well as many visitors, including some coming back for family reunions.
The day was officially opened with speeches by Cherbourg elder Aunty Ada Simpson – who spoke about the theme of this year’s national NAIDOC Week celebration, ie “50 Years of the Yirrkala Bark Petition” – and Ration Shed Museum chairperson Sandra Morgan.
Lewis Langton and Daniel Bird then led a performance of traditional dancing by the junior Wakka Wakka dancers.
Islander dancing also entertained the large crowd.
At the back of the buildings, food was cooked on an open fire while children had a choice of fun activities to take part in.
A highlight was a musical playground made up of drums, xylophones and other percussion instruments all carefully tuned.
On the other side of the complex, Cherbourg band Muddy Flats played more traditional music for most of the afternoon, entertaining adults resting on chairs in the shade, and people exploring displays and activities in the park across the road.
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Art Competition Prizes
Junior
1. Lartricia Leedie
2. Lennox Blight
Highly commended – Connie Wilson and Summer Sullivan
Encouragement award – Kate Robertson
High School
1. Ricky Purcell
2. Lochlan Wiley
Highly commended – Lana Magnussen and Starla Davidson
Encouragement award – Preston Reynolds
Adults
1. Venus Rabbitt
2. James Hopkins
Highly commended – Robert Bond
Encouragement award – John “Bart” Cobbo
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