A collaborative network of central Victorian female Indigenous artists are hosting a series of cultural celebrations and ceremonies this Saturday in Maryborough.
Held in collaboration with The Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation, Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini is launching the celebrations at the Maryborough Resource Centre at 1pm on Saturday.
Following the celebrations at the Maryborough Resource Centre, exhibition Ngardang Girri Kalat Mimini will be launched at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery at 2pm.
As part of the celebrations, there will be an official Welcome to Country ceremony by Aunty Marilyn Nicholls, performances by well-known musicians Maurial Spearim and Pirritu Wiliyamu Yuli, a didgeridoo performance by Dja Dja Wurrung musician Andrew Travis before finishing with a traditional ceremony.
The smoking ceremony is a significant act of healing with a focus on acknowledging the past and the impact that the gold rush has had on Victorian Aboriginal people, art and culture, specifically the Djaara people of Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
By inviting the whole community to participate in the ceremony we are creating an opportunity to heal and move forward.
At the end of the event everyone will be invited to walk to the Central Goldfields Art Gallery for the opening of the exhibition.
Central Goldfields Shire Council is strengthening its relationship with the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation by developing a Reconciliation Action Plan to help guide Council on a range of issues, topics and events.
Central Goldfields Shire Chief Administrator Noel Harvey is encouraging everyone to visit Maryborough this weekend to be part of the unique celebrations.
“I encourage everyone to come along to the Maryborough Resource Centre and Central Goldfields Art Gallery this weekend to be part of this significant cultural event.”
