Willoughby City Council is a proud participant of the Gai-Mariagal Festival incorporating a series of events designed to create understanding between the wider Australian community and the Original Peoples of this land.
This year the festivals' theme, "Truth Telling…. For Our Elders", invites us to commemorate and celebrate together, converse and walk side by side towards reviewing and renewing our future together.
Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor said the Festival is a great way for residents to discover Willoughby's First Nations heritage.
"We're pleased to be offering a wide range of events that will appeal to our diverse community," Mayor Taylor said.
The Festival will run from 26 May to 9 July 2023 and is centred around significant dates including Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. This year a key focus for Willoughby City Council is to share First Nations history with our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community.
"We are providing interpreters at some of the events to make them more inclusive and to encourage everyone to come along and join in," Mayor Taylor said.
The Gai-Mariagal Festival, founded 23 years ago, features events run by organisations in the Northern Sydney Region including Lane Cove Council, Northern Sydney Council, Mosman Council and Ku-ring-gai Council.
Willoughby City Council is hosting 18 events across the Local Government Area some of which include:
- (Re)telling: Stories of Country and Truth (15 June to 9 July): An exhibition at Art Space on The Concourse curated by Muruwari woman Dr Virginia Keft, bringing together emerging and established Aboriginal artists from around Australia to present new and existing works that showcase their resilience, strength, and connection to culture. The exhibition of painting, sculpture, photography, weaving and textiles include works by Dennis Golding, Jason Wing, Virginia Keft, Edwina Green and Shana O'Brien.
- Art with Dub Leffler Workshop (28 June): Award winning illustrator, animator and writer Dub Leffler presents a hands-on art and storytelling workshop for primary school aged children at Chatswood Library. Leffler is known for his soft, realistic portraits and has collaborated with the likes of Sally Morgan, Banksy, Coral Vass and many more.
- Aboriginal Local History in English and Mandarin (16 June): Understanding Sydney's Aboriginal history is challenging for so many reasons and is especially difficult with limited English skills. Karen Smith from the Aboriginal Heritage Office will share her knowledge and experience of the local area, Aboriginal history and culture at Chatswood Library. An English/Mandarin interpreter will be available when required, enabling deeper understanding. Native bush tea, damper, and bush flower jam will be served, and information on bushfoods and the local bushland will be shared.
- Guided bush walks lead by 'Bush to Bowl' (14 June) Join Anthony, the lead harvest collector from Sydney bushfood farm, 'Bush to Bowl' as he shares stories about specific plants and caring for Country. The groups will explore the bushland edge of the beautiful Lane Cove River and consider its immense value for the Gamaragal People and other nearby Clans.
- Aunty Time at Chatswood Library (7 and 14 June): Aunties Caroline and Susan share Indigenous knowledge with young people aged 11 – 17. These workshops are aimed at shaping a space for young people to create, express themselves and listen to acquire the right tools to improve their mental wellbeing. Free pizza and snacks will be provided!
- Multicultural Dance Party (8 June): Walangari Karntawarra and Diramu Aboriginal Dance and Didgeridoo will be joined by multicultural dance groups representing cultures from all over the world. This free event at The Concourse Civic Pavilion will be a joyful and vibrant celebration for all!
- Aboriginal Astronomy with Willy Stevens (2 June) Learn from Muruwari man and Aboriginal Astronomer Willy Stevens as he teaches about the role of stars, where they are located and what they mean in Aboriginal culture. Willy has over 17 years' experience teaching Aboriginal culture, which he has accumulated through learning from his family, elders, community knowledge holders and research into his heritage. This insightful talk at Chatswood Library is not to be missed.
Funding for this project has been provided by the NSW Government and Willoughby City Council.
