Call out to play key roles in 2022 Corroboree

Published on 21 February 2022

Local artists, food providers and performers are invited to be part of Sunraysia's biggest celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - Mildura's annual NAIDOC Corroboree.

Normally held as part of NAIDOC Week in July each year, this year's Corroboree will take place on Saturday 16 April at Nowingi Place, where the event will form part of Mildura’s suite of Easter Long Weekend activities for the first time.

Ngiwa Yarna (Aboriginal Action) Committee Chair Thelma Chilly said the organising committee for this year's event was calling for groups to come forward and be part of the 2022 Corroboree. This could include local Aboriginal artists and performers, residents to conduct cultural workshops and stalls, as well as food providers and other forms of entertainment.

Groups or individuals wishing to be part of his year's event are asked to complete a simple application form online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/corroboree  

Alternatively, hard copies or more information is available by contacting Council's Diversity and Inclusion Officer Claire Galvin at [email protected] or by phoning 5018 8100. Application forms must be completed by 5pm on Monday 28 February.

Ms Chilly encouraged groups or individuals to be part of the event, which has been recognised state-wide, receiving a prestigious Reconciliation Victoria HART Award in 2019.

"Our Corroboree is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures which also encourages the community to come together and really experience, and literally get a taste of the traditional culture that lays at the heart of our region," she said.

"A key part of providing this experience is the numerous entertainers, artists, workshops and food providers that have made past events such a success."

In the lead up to the Mildura NAIDOC Corroboree, Council and the Ngiwa Yarna Committee will also host a special Yarning Circle event at the Mildura Sporting Precinct from 5.30pm on Wednesday 6 April 2022 featuring acclaimed journalist and writer Stan Grant.

The Mildura Anti-Racism Community Yarning Circle will inform community on racism and how to address it, building capacity and increasing awareness of people’s rights.

The Yarning Circle event will feature a panel of local Aboriginal and culturally linguistically diverse people who have experienced racism in their lives, and who will discuss how we can address racism at a local level. 

Following delivery of his keynote speech, Stan Grant will facilitate the panel discussion, and community members can submit questions through a mediated process.

Mr Grant was born in Griffith in south-west New South Wales in 1963, Stan's mother is from the Kamilaroi people and his father is of the Wiradjuri.

Stan has written The Tears of Strangers, Talking To My Country, Australia Day, and With the Falling of the Dusk, On Identity, On Thomas Keneally and the Quarterly Essay 'The Australian Dream: Blood, History and Becoming (Black Inc.)' and has published numerous articles and opinion pieces for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian.

Registrations for this FREE event will open in the coming weeks, with more information to be made available soon.

ENDS