By Corin Mackay
This NAIDOC week, Australians celebrated their Indigenous Elders by reflecting on the collective wisdom and teachings of past generations and presenting them with an opportunity to grow their understanding of Indigenous’ culture and connectedness.
In Forest Lake, the Salvation Army and Wesley Mission held an event in Ellen Grove for the whole community, which, due to rainy weather, was forced to move from the Carole Park Community Park to the Elorac Place Community Centre.
The wet weather did not dampen anyone’s spirits, however, with the event featuring cultural performances, an elders tent, free food and drink, an arts and crafts station, and plenty of activities for the kids.
Forest Lake Ward Councillor, Charles Strunk joined Elders, community organisation representatives and residents at the Inala NAIDOC launch at Inala Plaza.
“The national NAIDOC theme for 2023, ‘For Our Elders’, recognises that across every generation, First Nations Elders have played and continue to play an important role in our communities,” he said.
“I was honoured to speak about the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Saint John’s Anglican College celebrated NAIDOC week late in Term 2, where students were presented with the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Bundjalung People Elder and artist Uncle Allan Lena.
Students listened to a dreamtime story, before creating their own art pieces using traditional First Nations’ art styles and symbols, which are now being shown at the Forest Lake village for post-NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Next door, girls at Forest Lake State High School playing rugby were offered the opportunity to participate in the Beyond the Broncos program, where students engaged last term in a workshop designed around the 2023 NAIDOC theme.
Broncos Ambassadors Ali Brigginshaw and Mikayla Hinkley led the workshop with school-based student support officer Sheena Wharton.
“The girls finished the workshop with not only a better understanding of their elders and what they do in our community, but also learned valuable knowledge and developed pride within themselves,” the school said via Facebook.
