Celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day in Urunga Coffs Coast Highlight Section Nambucca Valley by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 2, 2024 Dean Kelly and his son Asher. NATIONAL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day will be celebrated at Urunga this weekend. The free event takes place at Urunga Neighbourhood Centre on Sunday 4 August from 10:00am-2:00pm, hosted by Connecting Neighbourhood Centres Of Bellingen Shire (NCOBS), in partnership with Gumbaynggirr Wenonah Head Aboriginal Corporation and Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation. Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire Inc Manager Roger Horton told News Of The Area, “The fun kicks off at 10am with a large number of activities for children up to twelve years of age, and it’s all totally free.” A traditional Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and didgeridoo playing will welcome attendees to the event. Ochre will be available for face and body painting, with art and craft activities offered for under fives. “We have a free photo booth where you can show off your body painting,” said Roger. “Come along and make a badge – either one with an Indigenous theme or one of your own design – from 10am to 12 noon.” A miniature jumping castle will be available for kids aged under five years throughout the day. From 10.30-11.30am, Sprinkle and Play will provide sensory activities for children. “A special treat is balloon twisting,” Roger said, “a fun and interactive entertainment option for all children, where a wide variety of plant-based latex balloon animals, characters, and shapes are created for all ages.” Indigenous Elders will host storytelling, with Gumbaynggirr man Matty Flanders will offer a bush tucker talk. “There will also be performers at various times throughout the day, and a sausage sizzle, plus other food and drinks from 11.30am, with cakes and jam drops for dessert – all free,” said Roger. “So come along and join us in celebrating National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day and Gumbaynggirr culture.” National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a national day dedicated to celebrating Indigenous children and has been held every year since 1988. By Andrea FERRARI Aboriginal Early Years Family Wellbeing worker Honey Cairns utilising her face painting talents.
