Survival Day: What’s on around the nation

Survival Day: What’s on around the nation

National Indigenous Times: Issue 72

21 January 2005 – Since 1992 Aboriginal people around the country have been celebrating their survival; the first official concert was held at La Perouse in Sydney and had hundreds of people in attendance.

Some call it survival day, others call it invasion day. but to most Australians it’s Australia Day.

January 26 marks the day Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor.

For Indigenous Australia, celebrating their survival is done by way of spending time with family and friends at concerts or festivals at a number of venues around the country.

The most well-known concert is held in Sydney at Redfern Park and is known as the Yabun concert. This year will be its third year running and admission is free.

It’s a drug and alcohol free event which makes it very family friendly.

This year’s performances will include: Local Knowledge with Murdi Rampage, Troy Cassar Daley, Christine Anu, Glen Skulthorpe, Marlene Cummins, Shelley Atkins, The Stiff Gins, Deborah Mailman, Drewz, Max Judo, Rachael Mazza, Ursula Yovich and Lisa Flanagan and the Blacqseedz Dancers.

MC’s for the day will be Sean Choolburra and Leah Purcell and it starts at 1.30pm till 8pm.

Location: Corner of Redfern St and Chalmers St Redfern. More information: 02 9564 5090

Other events taking place around the country include the Share the Spirit Music Festival in Melbourne, the Alternative to Australia Day event in Adelaide, a rally in Roma St and Musgrave Park West End, in Brisbane. In Western Australia a survival day concert will be held with stalls, displays, arts and crafts at the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth.

In our territories. the ACT is having a corroboree at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, to celebrate 33 years of the Tent Embassy’s existence.

In the Northern Territory and islands, Maningrida is hosting a football carnival and Tiwi Islands is holding the Australia Day Island of Original Aussie Rules football match on Bathurst Island.

Melbourne: Share the Spirit Music Festival featuring a massive line up of Australia’s finest Indigenous and non-Indigenous performers, including Vic Simms, Frankie J Holden and Wilbur Wilde, Nick Barker Richard Franklin and many others. There will also be food stalls, handcrafts and workshops for the kids. This free concert will be held at Treasury Gardens Cnr Spring and Wellington Pde in Melbourne. Starts at 11am till 6pm. For further enquiries phone: 03 9696 2022.

Sydney: Woggan-ma-gule – Australia Day official dawn ceremony, 8:00pm to 8:20pm. A spiritual Indigenous ceremony held on the original shoreline of Sydney Harbour at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Ceremonial performance based on the dreaming and involving language, song and dance to honour the culture and traditions of the Gadigal clan. To be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney NSW. For further information please visit http://www.australiaday.com.au

Adelaide: An Alternative to Australia Day from 4pm to 8pm on the Tandanya lawn. This is an Alternative Gathering for Indigenous Australians and those who respect Aboriginal Australians, and support recognition of their rights on the lawn, and among the trees, next to Tandanya. Entertainment includes Singers, music, and speakers on Reconciliation, advocating for Aboriginal rights. A BBQ and drinks. This will be followed at 8.15 pm by 57th Candle Light Walk (around Govt House).

Brisbane: Australia Day flag raising ceremony at Roba Street Parklands 11.30am -2pm. The raising of the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at the Australia Day flag ceremony promotes pride in our nation and in a diverse society. The ceremony includes a 100-man honour guard by the Australian Defence Force, F-111 flyover and traditional gun salute. For further information please visit http://www.roma.qld.gov.au/

Brisbane: Invasion/Survival day march to be held in Brisbane in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of a resistance leader, Dundalli. Beginning at Roma Street and onto Musgrave Park, West End for a family gathering, The march will begin at 10am. For further information please contact the Musgrave Cultural Centre on 07 38445640.

Northern Territory: Tiwi Island Australia Day Island of Origin Aussie rules football match at Stanley Tipoloura Oval, Nguiu, Bathurst Island, Northern Territory. From 9am till late. Open permit day, all welcome for a great day of AFL. The day includes cultural performances, citizen of the year, footraces and disco. For further information please contact Aaron Sprigg on 0889709575

Borroloola – Australia Day Breakfast and Sporting Program 9 am – Wednesday 26 January 2005 Community Hall, Borroloola Free community Breakfast, Flag Raising, Australia Day Address, Spear Throwing and Damper cooking. For further information please contact http://www.australiaday.gov.au

Western Australia: Survival Concert – Perth. Indigenous Cultural Festival, featuring cultural performances from dance groups Wadumbah and Loza, country music from Patch-up and Yabu, and Pilbara gospel music from Gumala. Also featuring talented young Indigenous group The Hill Band. Survival opens 1pm-6pm and is free to the public and is ideal for families and will be held at the supreme Court Gardens Perth WA. For further information please contact 9461 3368 26

Canberra: Corroboree for Sovereignty over a week including on the 26 January 2005 at Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The embassy has been a very important step in the struggle of gaining recognition of the injustice committed against Aboriginal people during invasion and up until this day. It is a great symbol of Aboriginal pride and strength and true white-black reconciliation with true understanding and respect. So bring your music, laughter, colour, dancing, love and stories, toys and joy to The Aboriginal Tent Embassy for the Corroboree for Sovereignty. It’s situated in Parkes Avenue, ACT outside Old Parliament House.

Source:National Indigenous Times