Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the community remain committed to keeping their proud culture and history alive which was very much on display at the Connections Walk and community celebrations held last week.
This year the national theme of NAIDOC week was ‘For Our Elders’, a way to pay respects to the Elders that have been lost and to those who continue fighting for First Nations people across all nations and paying homage to them.
In a late celebration of NAIDOC week so school children, the next mob, could be in attendance, Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation in collaboration with Yarrawonga Health, Moira Shire Council and a number of local schools came together to take part in a Connections walk across the Yarrawonga Mulwala traffic bridge as well as community celebrations at Kennedy Park.
A great number of people took part in the smoking ceremony at Miss Ross Hill before joining the connections walk and making their way along the Yarrawonga Foreshore and down to Kennedy Park.
“I feel very honoured to be able to perform a welcome to country and display my culture and heritage,” Elder Aunty Betty said.
“It gives me the strength and the voice.”
Members of the Yarrawonga Health Board spoke about how proud Yarrawonga Health is to have been able to continue this celebration with Many Mobs and the commitment that Yarrawonga Health has to reconciliation with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to working in partnership to ensure that the services they are providing are welcoming, appropriate and provide equitable access to all people at all times.
Iris’ daughter and co-creator of Many Mobs Sarah Hill was the guest speaker on the day, displaying her pride in her culture with her mob while also paying respects to Elders past and present.
“Our elders are the heart and soul of our communities and families. They are the living bridges that connect past present and future,” Ms Hill said.
“Through their stories, traditions and life experiences, they pass down ancient wisdom that has sustained our people for thousands of years.
“Their resilience and determination has kept the flame of the oldest living culture alive.
“It’s beautiful to be able to share our culture and it’s great to see the local school students learning about Indigenous history and culture.
“Yarrawonga was always known as a meeting place so to be able to have these celebrations on this land is something we are proud of and another way for us to teach the local community about the local area and history of the mobs that lived here.
“The indigenous culture does not have state lines so it is great to be able to bring communities and mobs together.
“If we don’t do things in our communities and schools the Aboriginal identity and culture will disappear.”
Uncle Kieran played the didgeridoo throughout the connections walk and as part of the welcome to country, reiterating the sharing of cultures.
“Playing your darkie (didgeridoo) is showing culture. I offer culture and the children offer the ear to hear it,” Uncle Kieran said.
“It is nice to see it brings people joy and its good when we can express music and ourselves in our way.”
Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation Co-Founder and CEO Aunty Iris Troutman opened official proceedings and thanked all those for coming along and celebrating the indigenous history and culture.
“In the year 2023 here you all are, look around and feel proud. Every year our event gets bigger and it’s great to see the next generation, the next mob coming along to learn about our culture,” Aunty Iris said.
“We have had a great turn out for the whole day and always invite people to just come along and ask the question.
“To Aboriginal people, elders are our matriarchs and patriarchs. They are everything to us. They are our law holders.
“Today’s about a day of coming together and making that connection.”
Some lunch, fun and games then ensued after the formalities with the 200+ school and kindergarten children treated to a session of traditional indigenous arts and crafts, painting native Australian animals and boomerangs as well as learning the art of weaving.
The day was thoroughly enjoyed by students, teachers and all involved.