The flag raising at the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre to officially launch Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Week 2024.
A celebratory gathering was held at the new home of Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre yesterday to kick off Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Week for 2024.
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Community members, local officials and Yarkuwa staff members got together for the traditional flag raising ceremony and breakfast.
Normally held annually, this is the first full Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Week schedule held in five years - since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s events are supported by Edward River Council, who provided the breakfast at yesterday’s launch.
A smoking ceremony was conducted by Deni High School students before the official flag raising.
Yarkuwa general manager David Crew then spoke about the return of cultural week, and of the importance of flying the flag - which has of late been mostly at half-mast due to Sorry Business (indicating a death in the indigenous community).
Given the honour of raising the flag this year was Shae Hamilton, with youngster Koda Hill on hand, which saw applause from the sizable crowd.
The event was also the first opportunity this week for community members to visit the refurbished Yarkuwa facilities at 394 Hay Rd.
The former Windouran Shire Council and Rural Lands Protection Board buildings have been transformed into Yarkuwa’s new home.
It incorporates a museum, an outdoor space where renovations are ongoing, and ‘the shed’ - a modern space that can be used for events and exhibitions, and where most of the week’s activities will be taking place.
The activities started yesterday and continue through to Friday.
The activities at the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre include burning and painting boomerangs and clap sticks today at 9am, cooking damper and Johnny cakes at 9am tomorrow and Friday and traditional animal dances led by Yarkuwa staff from 9am Thursday.
Coolamon making will be taking place from 11am to 12pm today, tomorrow and Thursday.
Traditional weaving is also being held right throughout the day across the next three days, run by Deidre Hamilton and Jeannette Crew.
From 3pm to 5pm each day, in ‘the shed’, Australian films and TV shows will be screened, This includes Bran Nue Dae, Rabbit Proof Fence and episodes of the new children’s program Little J and Big Cuz.
There will also be face painting, dancing and arts and crafts at these after school sessions.
Yarkuwa tours are also being highlighted this week, with staff leading bush tours of North Deni Forest each day this week for the general public.
Tours for high school and primary school groups will also be held throughout the week.
The final event to cap off the week is the Kids’ Junior Disco from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday night.
All activities are open to anyone who would like to attend.
Call Yarkuwa on 5881 3312 for more information, or to inquire about forest tour times.
David Crew and Shae Hamilton.
Deni High students Ian Gray and Angus Jefferies perform the smoking ceremony while David Crew and Shae Hamilton perform the flag raising.
A look inside the 'shed' at Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre new premises where many of the Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Week activities will take place.
Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre at 394 Hay Road with flag raised.
Judy Senior and Edward River Council interim CEO Gary Arnold.
David Crew, Shae Hamilton and Koda Hill.
Angus Jefferies gets the fire going for the smoking ceremony.
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