YORK CELEBRATES AUSTRALIAN CULTURE

During January, the Shire of York and the National Australia Day Council are sponsoring three events to celebrate our inclusive Australian culture:

Bilya Gogular Boodja presents Revival of Culture event Saturday 21 January: 10am – 3pm at Sandalwood Yards

The Bilya Gogulyar Boodja (BGB) Aboriginal Corporation will host this free local Aboriginal arts and cultural event. Located at the Sandalwood Yards, 179 Avon Terrace, the event will commence at 10am with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.   Arts & Crafts will be on display all day, and attendees will be able to participate in workshops in Toolmaking, Digeredoo, Painting and Messagestones.  A free lunch of kangeroo stew and damper will be follwed by yarning and storytelling by local Elders. 

Australia Day Breakfast & Presentations Thursday 26 January:  7.30am – 10am at the Forrest Oval

Starting with the traditional FREE Community BBQ Breakfast provided from 7:30am by the IGA and entertained by local musicians with a bouncy castle for the kids.  The formalities commence at 9am with the Flag Raising and Presentation of Community Awards.  This year’s guest speaker is Professor Ralph Martins AO, WA Australian of the Year 2010 and Alzheimer’s Expert.  Professor Ralph Martins AO is well-known and highly respected both nationally and internationally as a prominent researcher in Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Australia Day Celebrations at the Pool Thursday 26 January: 10.00 am ‘til late at York Memorial Pool

Thanks to sponsorship secured from the National Australia Day Council, it will be an epic day at the pool this year! With FREE entry all day, waterslides, water volleyball/basketball, free sausage sizzle, roving performers, magic shows, face painting, aqua challenge run, FREE movie at sundown, FREE family picnic hamper (2 adults x 2 Children - limited availablilty) .

The three events welcome all residents, friends and family.  The Shire is delighted to be able to support events that celebrate all the things we love about Australia: land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy but particularly our people.

The celebrations are about acknowledging and celebrating the contribution that every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation. From our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - who have been here for more than 65,000 years - to those who have lived here for generations, to those who have come from all corners of the globe to call our country home.