Family bonds strengthened through culture & connection
Hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members travelled from remote communities to celebrate with their children and the NRL Cowboys House community for their annual NAIDOC celebration at the weekend.
House General Manager Rochelle Jones said 380 family members travelled from 29 different remote communities to share in the special occasion which reflected this year’s National NAIDOC Week theme – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
“We’ve got so many amazing Elders within our communities but unfortunately they can’t live forever, so their precious cultural knowledge, experience and stories need to be passed down to the young people, so our First Nations cultures and traditions live on through the next generation,” she said.
“Our students are from remote communities, so their families don’t get to meet each other, and students don’t get to meet other mums and dads and siblings, so holding this event in Townsville at the House and bringing everyone here together is really special.”
The celebration aimed to build generational bonds through family, cultural and community connections and featured traditional skill sharing including Didgeridoo making, weaving, painting, dancing and cooking.
Georgina Bob from Thursday Island helped coordinate the massive and diverse cultural cook-up which catered for hundreds and also served up generational lessons.
“All of the families have brought ingredients from their communities and have put our hands together to cook a dish each,” Georgina said.
“We have coconut fish, turtle, dugong, Kup Murri, pig blood, damper, scones, curry chicken and lots more.
“It’s about passing down all that we are, and there’s cooking, dancing, art, and weaving as well and you can see there is a mixture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture.
“The connections of families are important for our children’s future, family needs to be strengthened and for children to see all the parents together down here shows them a special bond and love as well."
Another highlight of the event is the cultural dancing which provides an opportunity for young people to embrace, celebrate and share their culture with the entire House community, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performances.
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said the event has truly become an iconic occasion on the charity’s calendar.
“NAIDOC is such a special event because it’s led by our students, their families and the House staff who all volunteer their time; it’s a day that amplifies what we do, why we do it, and who we do it for,” she said.
“It is also a wonderful opportunity for our partners, volunteers and stakeholders to share space, time, and food with our students, staff, and their families - and it was great to see so many of them there to share in that special energy.”
NRL Cowboys House holds its annual celebration in Term 3 because the students are home in their communities during NAIDOC Week.
This National NAIDOC Week Activity was funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
