Wyndham City Council welcomes Richmond football player Natarsha Bamblett as its key speaker for its NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw, said the week-long event would include activities including a flag-raising ceremony at the Wyndham Civic Centre on Tuesday, 9 July at 9.30am.
“We were delighted that Natarsha Bamblett will be our key speaker. It is fantastic to see young roles models like Natarsha inspiring young people to embrace their own culture and find their voice,” Cr Shaw said.
The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2019 is Voice. Treaty. Truth. and Ms Bamblett embodies all three of these.
Natarsha is a part of the Victorian Government initiative Deadly Questions, where Aboriginal people answer anonymous questions from the public to learn about Aboriginal history, culture, connection to place and hopes for the future.
She is also an advocate for the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission for the establishment of the First People’s Assembly, to give Aboriginal people an independent voice.
Natarsha will offer us a personal insight into the truth of Aboriginal history and culture, what Aboriginal people endured, their struggle for survival, how they are faring today and what needs to be done to move forward.
“Having someone share this important truth is a vital step in our reconciliation process,” Cr Shaw said.
“Natarsha will also discuss the importance of connection as a culture, which is something she has been doing in her own community for many years.”
Four years ago, Natarsha and her brother Olajuwon Bamblett started their own dance company called Individual Spirits.
They taught and mentored young Aboriginal children in their hometown of Shepparton.
Through the movement of dance—a mixture of traditional and hip-hop—the children learned to connect with their heritage, each other and their community.
“Natarsha is also a sporting hero, raising the profile of VFLW by being the first woman to sign up with Richmond Football Club in 2017, the same year she was crowned Miss NAIDOC,” Cr Shaw said.
“I encourage our entire community to come and listen to this inspirational leader and celebrate NAIDOC Week with the community.”
The raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will be held at the Wyndham Civic Centre on Tuesday 9th July from 9.30am at the Wyndham Civic Centre, 45 Princes Hwy, Werribee.
For more information visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au. To RSVP email communitywellbeing&inclusion@wyndham.vic.gov.au or call 9742 0777
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