Pete Dawson
More than 400 children from schools and people from around the Mount Alexander (Leanganook) Shire turned up for a ‘fabudeadly’ mini-festival at Castlemaine’s Goods Shed last Friday.
Each year on August 4, an educational and cultural celebration is held throughout the country to commemorate First Nations history and involve school children in creative activities.
In remembering the fact that August 4 was the birth date that government authorities gave children of the Stolen Generations, when their birthday was unknown, it is a time when families and communities celebrate the strength and culture of their children.
This year’s Children’s Day theme is ‘Little Voices, Loud Futures’ to fire children’s ambition, with more than 25 Aboriginal groups, businesses, community organisations and government departments involved.
Activities ranged from Castlemaine Library’s Stuart the Storyteller to making Dhaal Galk (clapsticks), with displays by Intereach, Parks Victoria, Dhelkaya Health, Noah’s Ark, Coliban Water, police and ambulance, to name a few.
The event was coordinated by Aunty Kerri Douglas, a Koorie engagement support officer with the Victorian Education Department, an Elder and Traditional Custodian on the board of the Djaara Corporation and a member of the Local Aboriginal and Education Consultative Group and Central Goldfields NAIDOC Committee.
With a team of volunteer helpers Aunty Kerri had the kids enthralled in patting a baby crocodile from Chris Page’s TZR Wildlife exhibit, dancing the Wombat Wobble, making crafts and seeing Uncle Rick Nelson’s Welcome to Country.
In an interview on MainFM’s In Didj’n’Us radio program Aunty Kerri had explained: “Previously lots of Aboriginal history and culture has been seen in a negative light, this is a day to positively celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait children everywhere.”
