NAIDOC Celebrations

One of the many forms of live entertainment at the NAIDOC Week Celebrations in Port Pirie’s Memorial Park were Belly Dancers! The dance troop performed an extensive array of dances for the crowds and had everyone, including Gateways staff, shaking their groove thang!

Other entertainers included Ali & Elaine singing karaoke for the crowd, Gateways own Marc Swensson playing guitar and flexing his vocal muscles, Kirby Sullivan from Uniting Care even gave a beautiful rendition of ‘Halleluiah’ and of course – saving the best for last – the traditional indigenous song & dance storytelling was a spledid sight to behold!

More on NAIDOC Week 09

The NAIDOC Week celebrations in Port Pirie’s Memorial Park were a gala mix of fun, creativity, food, education and…of course, celebration! One of the many creative stalls at NAIDOC was situated right next to Gateways where children could spread icing onto biscuits and decorate with sprinkles, lollies and marshmallows! Very tempting.

NAIDOC Week 2009

The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2009 was “Honouring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth”. The theme encourages communities to acknowledge the status of our Indigenous elders as leaders and role models for the Youth.

The National Aboriginies and Islanders Day Observation Committee (NAIDOC), along with the Australian Government, encouraged communities across the country the embrace the theme of NAIDOC Week 2009 – and Port Pirie was no exception!

The 2 day celebration kicked off in Memorial Park on Monday 6th July with a march and an Opening Ceremony officiated by Port Pirie Mayor, Brenton Vanstone, followed by some deadly traditional Aboriginal story telling through song and dance!

Other activities available over the 2 days were: boomerang decorating, face painting,  mask and jewellery making. There was a free sausage sizzle both days, many stalls promoting such facets as good health and nutrition, local heritage, pre-employment training and opportunities as well as live music including Gateways very own Marc!