Events aim at Noongar recognition

Naidoc Week has been jam-packed with many events happening across the city including yesterday’s elders luncheon at the Bethanie Maali Centre.

Close to 70 elders from across the South West gathered for a ‘yarn’ over a three-course meal.

South West Aboriginal Medical Service chief executive officer Lesley Nelson said the event was a day of recognition and celebration.

“The elders luncheon is a critical activity on our Naidoc agenda,” Ms Nelson said.

“This is about recognition of our elders in the past that have contributed to building SWAMS and celebrating the hard work they have done over the generations for the next generations and for us now.

“So this acknowledgement is a special day for them to celebrate our recognition for them and the Noongar community down here.”

SWAMS public relation officer Cassandra Budge said the Naidoc Week festivities had been well attended.

“The week has been great so far, there has been a lot of people engaged with the activities, which is really exciting,” Ms Budge said.

“It is also really important that we respect our elders and make them feel special during Naidoc Week.

“They all get to take home a little Naidoc pack and Naidoc Week umbrella, so that’s really exciting for them.”

There are still many events on across the city including the 3-on-3 basketball for kids aged above 10 years old from 10.30am at Leschenault Leisure Centre today.

The festivities also include the Naidoc movie night with a double screening. The first screening will be Putuparri and the Rainmakers and the second screening will be Top End Wedding.

The Naidoc celebrations will wrap up this Sunday with the Bill Flowers Memorial Darts event at the Bunbury Football Club.