The family fun day was a way for the local community, both Indigenous and non-Ingenous, to come together to celebrate  the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal people. 

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme Our Languages Matter aims to emphasise the importance, resilience and richness of Indigenous languages. 

Twofold Aboriginal Corporation program manager Alison Simpson said this year’s theme resonated strongly with the local Koori community. 

“Language is part of an individual’s identity, where you are black or white,” Ms Simpson said. 

“Having a language gives you a sense of belonging and connectedness. This is something that we have understood here for a while now and why there has been a newfound effort to resurrect the local language.”

As part of celebrations those in attendance were treated to a dance by the Duurunu Miru Dance Group, an inspiring welcome to country by Elder Ossie Cruse, a jumping castle and games and craft activities for children and a lunch consisting of bush tucker and traditionally made seafood. 

When giving his Welcome to Country, Aboriginal Elder Uncle Ossie Cruse explained the importance of keeping the community connected to each other and to the country. 

“It’s part of our culture, and that’s why we are here to celebrate our culture, to watch our kids perform and to remember what our people have done and what they continue to do,” Uncle Ossie said. 

“We haven’t lost our culture, people may think that, but our kids are dancing, our kids are learning our language, our culture is still here.”

Uncle Ossie said the days when the whole community, both black and white, are the ones most worth celebration. 

“It’s a beautiful thing when we come to share together as a family and I hope that we continue to do that.”

The festivities were brought to the area through a partnership between Campbell Page, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and Mission.