SWAN Hill Council has urged the community to celebrate the Shared Connections event on January 26.
Now in its second year, this event is part of the upcoming Australia Day festivities.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the “unifying experience” at Riverside Park, Swan Hill, from 6pm until 9pm.
Mayor Stuart King expressed delight at the return of the event.
“The Shared Connections event was created to bring the entire community together,” he said.
“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.”
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,” Cr King said.
“Rehearsals began earlier this month, and the entire community has had the opportunity to get involved.”
Following last year’s success, the possum skin cloak and didgeridoo will be featured, providing an opportunity for unity.
Community members have been invited to add their names, quotes, or symbols to these traditional items.
Cr King said the evening would 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 said this ceremony would 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,” Ms Chaplin said.
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,” Ms Chaplin said.
