Anmatjere NAIDOC Celebrations Early

 Anmatjere celebrated their NAIDOC Week early on Tuesday 22 June at the Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) office in Ti Tree. NIADOC Week is July 4 – 11 this year but Anmatjere got in early so Ti Tree School could be involved. This year’s theme is ‘Heal Country!’

There was a great turnout for the event, including local community members from Ti Tree town, Pmara Jutunta, Nturiya and Wilora, Traditional Owners, CDRC Local Authority members and Councillors, CDRC staff, Local Police and Liaison Officer and of course special guests Ti Tree School.  The school students participated heavily in the NAIDOC Art Competition and produced some fantastic artwork, with the winner to receive a prize of $20 voucher to spend at Ti Tree Farm Garden.

The older school students walked from the school to the Council Delivery Centre while the younger students rode the school bus to make it for the 11am start.

MC Pane Komene (Acting Council Services Program Manager – Anmatjere) introduced the proceedings, and a ‘Welcome to Country’ was delivered by Malcolm Ross, followed by CDRC councillor James Glenn who performed the flag raising ceremony and gave a speech about NAIDOC Week.

Cr. Glenn also presented the NAIDOC Week Art Award, a $20 voucher, to winner Denita McNamara. She was chosen out of more than a dozen artworks that were hung up on the outside windows of the Council office.

He then introduced the community barbecue and invited everyone to eat.

 Cr James Glenn raising the Aboriginal flag with the school children watching.