Big celebration for Royalties funding
Continued from front cover
“This Royalties for Regions funding will allow us to really power ahead with our development and start to build some of the infrastructure that has been designed by community and local architects Eastman Poletti Sherwood. With this funding we have now raised $620,000 for the top of the Bundiyarra block to be revitalised.”
Wilungu Elder, Carrie Cameron, gave politicians, their representatives, City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor, Neil McIllwaine and CEO Ken Diehm,invited guests and community and inspired Welcome to Country.
Morning of entertainment
This was followed by a morning of fabulous entertainment including the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre team singing the Welcome Song in Wajarri; Rangeway Primary School boys didgeridoo players, Indigenius; an Aboriginal dance led by Wajarri Elder, Ross Boddington, on his tapping sticks and performers Godfrey Simpson, Gerard Boddington and Ethyn and Christopher Clarke and a couple of songs from employment scheme participant Edan McLachlan.
Minister blown away
Minister Redman, accompanied by Member for the Agricultural Region, Paul Brown, were clearly blown away with their welcome and the hard work that had gone into the grounds.
“What a fantastic welcome and what a fantastic transformation we’re seeing here on your facility compared to when I was here just a month ago, when you shared with me some of your bush tucker and some kangaroo brawn,” said Mr Redman.
Mr Redman reflected on the Dirk Hartog 400 year celebrations that are taking place this year and said they pale into insignificance when compared to Aboriginal culture.
“Compared to the tens of thousands of years of rich culture and history you bring to our nation and to Western Australia, nothing brings that into greater focus than listening to the didgeridoo being played, looking at the dancing – and it brings a picture –like that picture behind me to life,” he said, indicating the mural painted by staff on the seacontainer behind him.
Minister: Keep the culture strong
“I know that your elders will never ever underestimate the importance and value of ensuring that the greatest asset we have is our kids. Keep that culture, keep it strong and be proud and respectful of the richness that it brings to all of us, not just to Aboriginal people.
“What we are talking about today is an opportunity and investment that helps bring the richness of Aboriginal culture to all of us, not just in our state, but people from overseas,” said Mr Redman.
Tribute to Elders
“I pay tribute to the elders and what you have brought to the table here, with a vision to have a facility that means you can have your young people, supported and growing up understanding and transferring the Aboriginal culture and the values that that brings to us all.
“It is also an opportunity to have a facility to share with the rest of us to ensure that we get educated in the values that it brings to us.”
Mr Redman said cruise ships and people coming into WA from overseas want an authentic cultural experience.
“Having that here, supported by the City of Greater Geraldton, is a great asset to not only you and what you are passing on to your children, but what you are passing on to all Western Australians and also those from overseas. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to commit $272,000 of Royalties for Regions funding to put your vision into practice.”
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