“It’s a day of celebration of heritage and of culture.” Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) President, Aunty Cheryl Fensom said.
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The National Aboriginal and Islander Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week was held back in July, but with the weather around Young so unpredictable at that time of the year, Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and NAIDOC organisers in Young waited until the warmer and sunnier weather of Spring to hold their Celebratory barbecue at Carrington Park last week.
The day couldn’t have been better with the weather sunny and warm as students from Young High School, Young North Public School, Young Public School and Hennessy Catholic College all joined together at Carrington Park to mingle, share their heritage and learn from the AECG Elders and to celebrate the traditions and practices of Indigenous Australians.
There was another cause for celebration on the day as it was AECG President, Aunty Cheryl Fensom’s birthday. The students, parents and teachers all sang Happy Birthday and passed on well wishes.
After Aunty Enid Clarke welcomed everyone and stressed the importance of Young people claiming and learning about their heritage and culture, the other elders passed on their heartfelt thoughts and guidance to the students before Mrs Rita Karaminas of Young High School thanked the AECG and Elders for their roles in not only the NAIDOC and ‘Proud and Deadly’ award celebrations, but their roles and significant influence in the lives of indigenous students and children within the community.
Mrs Karaminas followed her thanks and wise words with the announcement that for the very first time the AECG will present their own float in the 67th Annual Cherry Festival Parade. After a few stumbling blocks float organisers were excited and happy to see the float take part in the annual event. After the formalities had finished the children were chatting and all sounded very eager and happy to get involved in the momentous occasion.