THE late Kevin Albury has been recognised with a posthumous award as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations in Scone on Monday.
More than 100 people gathered for the ceremony, which included a Welcome to Country by Wanaruah Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson Aunty Jean Hands, a raising of the Aboriginal flag, and a performance by Indigenous dance group Wakagetti.
Aunty Jean, originally from Gunnedah and now living in Singleton, then presented a posthumous award for Mr Albury to his family.
She paid tribute to Mr Albury, as “a gentle giant” who had lived in Scone for most of his life and contributed greatly to the community and the Wanaruah Aboriginal Land Council.
The Wakagetti group performed several dances as leader Waylon Boney of Aberdeen described the meanings behind the dances and songs about animals, birds, mountains and the Rainbow Serpent.
“It’s important to understand the songs and dances showed how Indigenous people travelled the country holding different ceremonies on the land and there are links in these stories,” Mr Boney said.
The other Wakagetti performers are Tyrell Roadley and Dionne Craft of Muswellbrook, Dennis Milgate of Bowraville, and Kobi Crowe, 10, and Jackson Crowe, 8, of Aberdeen.
Mayor Wayne Bedggood encouraged the young people in the crowd to attend Saturday’s Youth Stomp at Scone Youth Centre from 5pm to 8pm as part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations.
There will be Indigenous DJs and performers telling stories and poetry through their music, and youth workers supervising this drug and alcohol free event that is open to young people aged 12 to 24 years, with transport available from Murrurundi and Merriwa.
Funding for this event came from NSW Education Aboriginal Affairs.
After the ceremony and morning tea, the younger audience including children from Upper Hunter Shire’s Scone Out of School Hours (SOOSH), Early Learning Centre (ELC) and Family Day Care (FDC) took part in craft activities at the Scone Library and in Council Chambers.
Mr Boney of the Wakagetti Dance Group shared more stories about Indigenous culture as the children painted boomerangs.
These activities were funded by a grant from the Federal Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Aboriginal flag will fly outside the Upper Hunter Shire Council Administration Office in Scone in recognition of NAIDOC Week.
