Featuring an array of traditional activities such as boomerang painting, rock painting, weaving, dancing and a Welcome to Country ceremony, the Yaka Yakapna Corroboree was a magnificent way to celebrate First Nations culture.
Njernda family services project worker Brody Atkinson said the get-together had been eagerly anticipated for the past few years.
“Pre-pandemic we held the Yaka Yakapna Corroboree annually but the COVID-19 outbreak unfortunately put a stop to that,” Mr Atkinson said.
“This day is all about providing a space for Mob to re-connect.”
Orange Door Network employee Jess Smith said there was another purpose behind the event — to bring kids back on Country.
“We wanted to bring all the kids in care and all the kids that have moved away from the area back onto Country,” she said.
“This event took about three months to organise and we worked very closely with Njernda family services throughout that entire process.”
There were a number of stall holders at the event including Njernda, Anglicare, the Orange Door, Campapse Shire Council and Tongala Football Netball Club.
Ms Smith said they wanted to get the message out about the kind of services and programs that were out there for Aboriginal people.
“Not everyone in the community wants to use Njernda and that’s why it’s important to demonstrate all the other resources that are available,” she said.
“We want to show people that we’re here and we’re approachable.”
