Souths Cares hosted their annual NAIDOC Festival at Heffron Park yesterday. NAIDOC Week is about celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s NAIDOC Theme is ‘Our Languages Matter’ which emphasises the unique role that language, stories and songs play in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Now into its third year, the Souths Cares NAIDOC Festival continues to grow with up to 1000 guests attending Heffron Park throughout the day. The day started with a Welcome to Country from Uncle Bill Russell and a Smoking Ceremony from Dean Kelly followed by a traditional dance performance by the Warada Dance Group. The event also included face painting, airbrush tattoos, shell painting, Aboriginal artefacts, rugby league clinics and a big BBQ Lunch.
Souths Cares Programs and Operations Manager Alisha Parker-Elrez explained the NAIDOC Festival was about giving back to community. ‘Souths Cares have a proud association with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and today’s event is an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our history, culture and achievements. Souths Cares also works on a daily basis delivering education, employment and health programs dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’.
Rabbitohs players Cody Walker, Jason Clarke, Angus Crichton, Braidon Burns and Tyrell Fuimaono attended the event yesterday.
The Souths Cares NAIDOC Festival event was supported by Randwick City Council, Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Asset Group Solutions and Youth Off The Streets.
