RECORD numbers flocked to celebrate the Valley’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the Nambucca this year, and the theme of the week was ‘Songlines: The living narrative of our Nation’.
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Organisers and Aboriginal Elders lauded the hundreds of people who created one of the most successful events on record.
“It was magic,” Aboriginal Elders Colin Jarrett and Barry Phyball told the Guardian.
“There were so many people around and it was probably the best week we’ve had to date … good spirit, atmosphere, harmony and support – there was just this buzz. And the community just all came together.
“It was something we haven’t seen to this extent before, we wanted to improve relationships within the whole community, and that is what we achieved.”
A NAIDOC mass opened the celebrations on Sunday where the week of activities was blessed. Monday was a march and flag raising at Macksville followed by a barbecue and kids day. That night saw a mini ball at the Macksville Ex-Services Club. Tuesday was a men’s day at Bowraville with a women’s day at Ngurrala. An art day at Muurrbay on Wednesday, an Elders and youth day at Bowraville on Thursday which included a morning tea and two movies Bran Nue Dae and The Sapphires; a community day at Bellwood Park on Friday and a NAIDOC Aboriginal Workers dinner on the Saturday night rounded out the week.
‘The Riverside Brothers’ – Jermaine and Garren Edwards – provided the music for the mini ball and community day at Bellwood and Cheyanne Baker did the Welcome to Country in Gumbaynggir language, which Colin said “she did her community proud”, especially being just 12 years old.
Both Colin and Barry reflected on their childhood and how much of an influence their ancestors have made on not only their lives, but the lives of the wider Aboriginal community.
“There was a real sense of identity and who we are as Aboriginal people shone on the day,” Barry said.
“The Dreamtime Ancestors made songlines as part of the creation story to provide a map of the landscape, and represent the relationship between the lands, the seas and the people.
“We’re proud to be Aboriginal people. Our forefathers and mothers were resilient and had a lot to overcome – they were so full of strength and courage. They opened a lot of doors for us and are why we are here today.
“What they said and taught us has trickled down through the generations … and seeing the pride in the eyes of the younger kids during NAIDOC Week was magic.
“I will be happy when they put us in the constitution – I don’t understand why we’re not … it’s the 22nd century.”
