Pinjarra celebrates Bindjareb Culture | Video

From 10am, dozens of attendees gathered around Cantwell Park on the banks of the Murray River for a welcome to county, a traditional smoking ceremony and plenty of cultural activities.

A special Aboriginal flag made of hundreds of colourful paper hands shone bright next to the river to symbolise the the reach of the Murray community for reconciliation and healing, giving the chance to attendees to add their own as a sign of unity and support.

Residents had the opportunity to try a traditional kangaroo stew and damper while listening to the stories of the region’s Noongar elders, and brave punters had the chance to give traditional Aboriginal dancing a go.

The event was organised by Pinjarra’s Aboriginal community together with a Shire of Murray as part of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, an annual celebration which builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

2017 marks 50 years since the 1967 referendum, when more than 90 per cent of Australians voted in favour of giving the government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to recognise them in the census.

This year it is also 25 years since the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision to recognise the relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with their land.

Shire of Murray president Maree Reid also announced an Aboriginal flag will soon be permanently raised in front of the Shire’s offices.