NAIDOC Week brings Waroona community together

An art exhibition, storytelling, and arts and crafts brought the Waroona community together last week to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly.

Waroona Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation led a series of activities last week to celebrate the annual NAIDOC Week, a nationally recognised time to celebrate history, culture and achievements.

WAATSIC secretary and board director Adrianna Jetta said celebrating NAIDOC Week was important to her because it highlighted the “deadly work” of her mob in the community.

With 50 Years of Deadly the theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week, Ms Jetta said it meant honouring her ancestors and their actions.

“All their inspirational work that they’ve put in to creating that pathway for us to be here and step up to be leaders in the community and mentors for our young, the next generation and just passing on that knowledge for our next generation to thrive and stay alive,” she said.

The NAIDOC Week celebrations in the town began on Monday at the Waroona police station where a welcome to country was given by local elder the Rev. Robert Jetta, followed by the flag raising, a community walk and morning tea.

Other activities during the week included storytelling at the Waroona library with elder Aunty Jennifer Turner, a football clinic delivered by Sharrod Wellingham from the Waalitj Foundation, and community arts and crafts.

Ms Jetta said this year, WAATSIC held a Deadly 50 Art Exhibition, open to all Bindjareb Indigenous artists, with prizes for the exhibition handed out on the final day, alongside the NAIDOC Awards.

Jacinta Tressidder was awarded the first prize — the people’s choice award in the exhibition and was also recognised with the female sportsperson award.

Second prize in the exhibition was awarded to Shardah Jetta Farmer, while Ms Turner received the third prize and was recognised as the female elder of the year.

Brennel Tressidder was awarded the youth art award and the youth sportsperson award.

Robert Jetta was recognised as the male elder of the year, while male sportsperson went to Ezekiel Jetta.

The caring for country award went to Adrianna Jetta, Rickardo Jetta, Candice Bennell, Kobe Jeffrey, Saverio Jetta, Shoniqua Bennell and Tiara Shea.