Member for Bega, Andrew Constance, has announced $3000 in funding for Twofold Aboriginal Corporation’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.
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“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” Mr Constance said.
NAIDOC - which stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee - is an annual event dedicated to the recognition and celebration of indigenous culture nationwide.
This year is runs from July 5 to 12, with the national NAIDOC 2015 theme being ‘We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate’, highlighting the strong spiritual connection to land and sea.
In 2015, the NSW Government has provided $125,000 to support over 100 NAIDOC Week events across the state.
Mr Constance said that the $3000 grant for Jigamy would foster community involvement in NAIDOC by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members of the electorate.
Chris Bird, CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, said the money would be used to support their local event 'Our Sacred Ground' which will be held from 10am to 2pm at Jigamy Farm on Saturday, July 11.
“The event is a joint venture of the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council who will work together to provide a fantastic cultural community event,” Mr Bird said.
“Activities on the day will include a Welcome to Country at 10am, ochre face and boomerang painting, traditional food tasting, culture walks, storytime, kayak tours, Aboriginal dancers, boomerang throwing, a display of local Aboriginal art and woodwork as well as an information session on projects such as the Bundian Way and The Keeping Place.”
The day will also include the official opening of the upgrades to the Jigamy Farm Princes highway intersection, which will be attended by Federal MP Dr Peter Hendy and involve the formal cutting of a ribbon.
“We really appreciate the support provided by the NSW Government for our event,” Mr Bird said.
“NAIDOC is so important to our community, and this event will help us celebrate it together. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun family event.”