Swan Hill Rural City Council warmly invites the community to celebrate the Shared Connections event. Now in its second year, this event is part of the upcoming Australia Day festivities. Everyone is encouraged to come along to this unifying experience at Riverside Park, Swan Hill, on Sunday, 26 January, from 6pm to 9pm.
Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Stuart King, expressed his delight at the return of this wonderful event.
"The Shared Connections event was created to bring the entire community together. Taking place on the evening of Australia Day, as the sun is setting, it provides an opportunity for people to gather, connect, and celebrate our remarkable country together.
"With the revitalisation of the Australia Day Breakfast in Swan Hill this year, the community has the opportunity to commemorate the day together at dawn and dusk," said Cr King.
At this year's event, attendees can immerse themselves in traditional First Nations practices, including storytelling, sampling native finger foods, and experience a sense of belonging through performances organised by the award-winning youth initiative, Marruk Project.
"Last year, the crowd embraced the cultural dances. To build on this success, the Marruk Project has initiated a choir. Rehearsals began earlier this month, and the entire community has had the opportunity to get involved," added Cr King.
Following last year's success, the possum skin cloak and didgeridoo will be featured again this year, providing an opportunity for unity. Community members are invited once more to add their names, quotes, or symbols to these traditional items.
Cr. King explained that the evening will offer opportunities for reflection and celebration through a local history display, as well as the presentation of the inaugural Matakupay Leadership Awards.
"The evening is a time to understand our First Nations culture on a deeper level and to recognise the hard work and valuable contributions being made by community members." Cr King said.
The evening will conclude with a closing ceremony. Council's Aboriginal Community Development Officer, Jacinta Chaplin, explained that this ceremony will bring the day's events to a close.
"At Swan Hill's Australia Day breakfast at Riverside Park, the event will begin with a Welcome to Country ceremony. Following the Shared Connections event, we will hold a traditional closing ceremony."
During this ceremony, the Marruk Project choir, formed especially for this event, will perform two carefully selected songs: 'The Future Anthem' and John Williamson's stirring 'A Thousand Feet.
"Our closing ceremony will provide an opportunity to watch the sun set on our beautiful country together, while enjoying the melodic harmonies of the choir," said Ms Chaplin.
