The City of Mandurah Bindjareb NAIDOC Week celebrations are only four sleeps away, and this year’s event promises to be more special than ever.
Here’s all you need to know about this year’s celebrations to not miss a thing.
Aboriginal culture to shine in Mandjar Square
Mandurah’s traditional Bindjareb cultural showcase event will take place on Monday, June 3, and will feature entertainment, food and plenty of storytelling.
The free family-friendly celebrations will start at 3.45pm with a walk from the eastern foreshore to Mandjar Square followed by a Welcome to Country, a flag raising ceremony, and Aboriginal dancing around the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC).
From 5pm on, attendees will have the opportunity to see some of the region’s best Aboriginal art at the 2017 Bindjareb Art Awards, experience the taste of Aboriginal foods, have a sausage sizzle, enjoy children’s activities and get in the groove with performances by Gina Williams, Maditjitil Moorna Choir and Phil Walley-Stack.
Mandurah set to have a ball
In addition to holding a Bindjareb cultural showcase in the heart of the city’s cultural precinct, this year’s celebrations will also include the region’s first NAIDOC ball.
Tickets to the formal 18+ event are currently on sale and include a three-course dinner and an line-up of entertainment and dancing.
Madurah mayor Marina Vergone said the City of Mandurah was proud to be involved in NAIDOC Week and said she was excited to introduce the NAIDOC Ball for the first time in Mandurah’s history.
“NAIDOC Week is a significant event for our community and by working with local Aboriginal people to make this event possible, our community is able to learn, experience and celebrate the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.
“Working together with our Aboriginal community brings realisation of the importance of positive change and to nurture our bonds and relationships.
“The NAIDOC Ball is set to refresh the NAIDOC Week celebrations and incorporate surrounding communities to come together and participate in the night.
“I would encourage everyone to get involved with the NAIDOC celebrations and learn more about the wonderful culture and history of our community.”
The event will take off at 6pm on July 7 at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
Tickets can be purchased through the City of Mandurah website.
Marta Pascual Juanola
Photojournalist from Barcelona, currently based in WA. Five languages speaker: English - Català - Español - Norsk - العربية.
Photojournalist from Barcelona, currently based in WA. Five languages speaker: English - Català - Español - Norsk - العربية.
