Nyngan NAIDOC Week was celebrated a little different this year. Instead of having a large community day, ownership was given back to the schools to showcase their learnings and cultural activities.
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On Monday July 27, an opening ceremony was held at Bogan Shire Council Chambers.
Local school children spoke about the importance of NAIDOC and the meaning of this year’s theme - We all stand on sacred ground; learn, respect and celebrate.
Guest speakers included Nyngan mayor Ray Donald, NSWALC Central Region Councillor Stephen Ryan, NSW Environmental and Heritage Officer Phillip Sullivan, from Bourke.
Nyngan LALC CEO Veneta Dutton, Nyngan Public School Aboriginal education officer Marea Johnson and Nyngan High School Aboriginal education officer Raylene Weldon raised the Aboriginal flag.
Marea and Raylene were praised for their work in Aboriginal education. Nyngan Public School choir sang Sacred Bones by Luke Austin.
St Joesph’s Primary joined the other schools to showcase the dancing they have been practising.
A huge thankyou to the teachers and aids who assisted and to Tarna Stadford for returning from maternity leave to choreograph the dance.
Following the opening, morning tea was held at Nyngan Preschool, where a cake made and decorated by a teacher from the high school, was cut by preschool Aboriginal worker Amiee Robb Aunty Sheila Couley and Aunty Lesly Ryan.
On Tuesday children from Nyngan Public School were were taught dancing by Uncle Ralph Nadan after which a sausage sizzle lunch was enjoyed by all.
Nyngan Public School learnt about Aboriginal culture throughout the whole week. Guest artist Atahlia Sutherland and her father Darren sang up a storm, while Shane McEwan taught traditional dance and didgeridoo playing.
Jason French played Traditional Indigenous Games.
On Wednesday it was Nyngan High School’s turn. The Aboriginal garden was opened and trees planted by Aunty Edna Weldon and principal Mrs Hunt. The children enjoyed traditional Indigenous games and a sausage sizzle lunch.
At St Joseph’s Primary School on Thursday Mass was celebrated. The importance of being one community and accepting each other for who we are was spoken about.
Atahlia Sutherland performed along with the school children and this was followed by a barbecue lunch.
Children finished the day playing traditional Indigenous games in the playground.
Friday was Community day where Nyngan Local Aboriginal Land Council and Bogan Aboriginal Corporation joined together to hold the river lunch.
Traditional food tasting was available, with kangaroo, emu, beef sausages and crocodile was on the menu. The food was cooked by Lisa Dunn, Craig Dutton, Katrina Whaley, Karen Jones, Aunty Lesly Ryan, along with Helena and Adam from AGL.
Uncle Tommy Ryan managed the cuppa station, ensuring the kettle was always full, with his famous fruit cake on hand, and a lovely stew.
Marea Johnson, Mary-Anne Hartwig and Katrina Whaley cooked Johnny cakes.
There was a fishing competition, which was won by Joc Doyle who caught a 51cm Yellowbelly. Amber Dutton came second.
Nyngan Fire Brigade came along and gave the kids had a blast with the water hose. Children climbed in and out of the truck and everyone was given a colouring-in book to take home.
Mark Hartwig from Roads and Maritime Services set up a stall and was giving out hats, shirts, drink bottles and P or L plateholders.
The Aboriginal Housing Office from Dubbo came and gave out the new comic books about housing as well as goody bags.
Strait Tritton Mines set up, giving away jellybeans and talking about opportunities at the mines.
Tom Barker from Lighting Ridge came along and set up a display of traditional artefacts and weapons, with demonstrations on how to throw a boomerang.
Shane McEwan danced with some of the school children, showcasing what they had learnt through the week at school.
Bogan Bush Mobile team came along and set up activities for the children and spoke to parents about the new childcare centre which is coming to our community.
Debbie Roach and the Home Start ladies were busy face painting and getting to know families.
Overall the day was a huge success. Thank you to Nyngan Public School for sending out a staff member to assist in supervision along the water’s edge.
Thankyou to Geoff Leake who came in from his RDO to sort the power supply for us, without you we wouldn’t have had the cuppa station, stew or music.
Thanks to Marea Johnson, for assisting me in getting the day sorted and the NAIDOC committee for participating in the whole planning.
Veneta Dutton