This year, on 14 August, a celebration to mark the Day was
held at the Sydney
Town Hall. Redfern
Aboriginal men’s group, Babana (“Brother” in the Dharuk language) hosted the
four-hour event, which comprised a welcome to country and smoking ceremony on
the steps of the Town Hall, and speakers addressing Australia’s key role in
multi-national cultural diversity including MC Mark
Spinks of Babana, Councillor Robyn
Kemmis (representing Lord Mayor Clover
Moore who was unfortunately unwell), and Shane Phillips (“Mr
Redfern”) of the Tribal Warrior
Association.
Phillips called on Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to
support one another. “We should spend at least 70 % of our time and energy on
celebrating the positives, and only 30% on the negatives,” he lamented. “I’m so
proud of Aboriginal peoples and what they’ve achieved. All of us have roles –
performers, sportspeople, community workers. You are all community leaders,” he
said.
The afternoon featured drumming, dancing, choirs, bands and
musicians from all over the world. The Doudoumba Drums of Africa was a big hit
with the audience. As was the country-styled Sharnee Fenwick Band. Fenwick won
the Young Deadly of the Year in 2006 at the Opera House and has a song
nominated for Song of the Year in 2007. ::.
Photo: Andrew Collis
– The Sharnee Fenwick Band
Photo: Andrew Collis
– The Doudoumba Drums of Africa
Source South Sydney Herald September 2007 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au