MIDLAND’S NAIDOC celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture at Weeip Park was filled with music and merriment and record attendance numbers.
The event attracted more than 70 different stalls displaying art and clothing pieces by Indigenous artists, government and community services, games, entertainment and food trucks.
It was a sunshine filled day throughout the event, and families walked the park grounds taking it all in surrounded by the sounds of performances by Indigenous artists.
The event began at 10am with didgeridoo playing by Derek Nannup, a Welcome to Country speech and flag raising.
Then, entertainment acts on the main stage began with Indigenous singer Shakaylee Williams performing at 10.20am, followed by the mayor’s address and Minister for Lands John Carey’s community briefing.
Mr Carey revealed the Place Names Maali project which was a truth-telling, Aboriginal language revival project centred around decoding Noongar language and discovering the meaning behind place names.
The project connected local Noongar Elders and Traditional Owners to translate the place names for many locations across Swan.
Indigenous music artist Natasha Eldridge and her band took the stage on the sunshine filled Tuesday morning.
Australian flags billowed next to the stage as performers on the main stage tuned up and sang their songs to the sound of drums and guitars.
Ms Eldridge’s songs conveyed the spirit of reconciliation on the day, promoting the coming together and acceptance of diverse cultural groups.
“It doesn’t matter, the different races,” Ms Eldridge sang.
“Are you the one who’s going to stand up and be counted?”
Midland NAIDOC was made possible by the Midland NAIDOC Committee and community partners City of Swan, Parkerville Children and Youth Care, Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Ngala Swan Communities for Children, Holyoake, Landgate, Relationships Australia WA, Mission Australia, St John of God Health Care Midland, Renascent and Indigo Junction.