Njernda Aboriginal Corporation held its annual Elders Day Out as part of NAIDOC Week 2024.
The event, held on Tuesday, July 9, at Moama Bowling Club, saw Aboriginal Elders from the region gather to socialise and enjoy a two-course meal, bingo, prizes and giveaways.
Event organiser and home and community care team leader Patricia MacGrath spoke about how the event allows isolated Elders to socialise and enjoy NAIDOC Week and celebrate Njernda’s 50th anniversary this year.
“Today’s event is celebrating our NAIDOC Week, and a part of that every year is gathering our Elders for lunch,” she said.
“I support the Elders daily as part of the program I run through Njernda. It’s getting them socially engaged, as many of them don’t have any socialisation except for getting picked up to come along to events that we run.
“We are incorporating Njernda’s 50th anniversary in our Elders Day today by gifting all our Elders a $50 gift card at the end.
“The Elders always really enjoy themselves; they like coming for lunch and getting out and seeing people.”
Aunty Deb Crawley, an Elder who has attended multiple Elders Day Out lunches, spoke about the enjoyment of catching up with other Elders and celebrating NAIDOC Week.
“It’s good coming here every year because you get to meet up with all of the Elders you may not have gotten to see in a while,” she said.
“NAIDOC is really important to us because we’ve been here that long, and it’s great that everyone in the wider community gets together and celebrates.
“I just enjoy spending time with people, and it’s nice to have a meal and some other goodies.”