50 Years of Deadly at the NAIDOC Family Day!

We’re still glowing from the NAIDOC Community Day at The Knob Reserve on Thursday. More than 1,500 people came together from right across Gippsland, making it a day full of connection, yarning, laughter and community.

“Our NAIDOC Family Day is important because it celebrates culture, brings together communities and we can connect on sacred grounds,” said Taylor. “It was really good to see community come together and see hundreds of happy faces.”

Events like this don’t happen without an incredible community of people working together. To everyone who helped make the day so special – thank you.

A heartfelt thank you to Heather Hood for the Welcome to Country, Shae Terrick and Hugh Pepper for the Smoking Ceremony, Phil Solomon for keeping the day flowing as MC, and Nick Ashburner for his thoughtful speech.

Thank you to the Boorun Boys, Djeetgun Girls, Cultural Connect, Ringo Morgan, Susan and Kylie Martin, and the Deans of Soul for sharing culture, music and performances throughout the day

It was fantastic to see so many people proudly wearing this year’s NAIDOC T-shirt. Huge congratulations to Euphie Hood for the deadly frog design – it was everywhere!

A big thank you to all our stallholders – Bonnie Mabel Makes, Cultural Connect, DaMob3875, Crafty Yorgas, Yoowinna Wurnalung, Mission Australia, Steps to the Future and The Koori Way.

Thank you also to DEECA Gippsland for bringing the fire truck and burn table, and to My Barn Babies and Black Snake Productions for introducing everyone to their amazing animals. Always a big hit with the kids!

We also couldn’t have done it without First Nations Traffic Management, Lake Tyers First Responders Unit, Bruthen Music, Entertainment Gippsland, Zagame Security, Gippsland Hire, and our wonderful community helpers Marggie-Pat, Derek, Lizzie and Nancy.

A huge thank you to Guiltfree Gourmet, Doin’ Dumplings, Stratford Pony Club, Slinky Spuds, 51 Coffee, Bush Café, Amped Coffee, Bush Tucker Bites, Maffco, Gippsland Water, Grill ‘Em, Poffertjes, Rosedale Butchers and Bakers Delight Morwell for keeping everyone well fed.

And finally, thank you to the GLaWAC NAIDOC working group and every member of our crew who went above and beyond to make the day such a success. Deadly work!

Most of all, thank you to everyone who came along and celebrated with us. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.