Forged by Fire a Roaring Success

2 February, 2024

On Saturday 27 January the community came together to engage with all things fire at the Portland Foundations.

The day began with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Helen Riley and a Smoking Ceremony performed by Yamandirra Newton from the Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation.

Yamandirra shared how aboriginal people have always had a relationship with fire, using it as an integral part of traditional land management and their cultural practices.

People then got active, doing Poi with Ifritah, making their own special creation on the pottery wheel with Lily and Jillian from The Old Lithgow Pottery and badge making with Headspace. As everyone was busy making, creating, and connecting, James Daley played a beautiful soundscape throughout the event.

People were invited through out the day to make their own work of art with telecommunication wire inspired by work by Jacquelene Drinkall.

Everyone enjoyed the spectacular performances of Ifritah Fire dancer and the Captain Fin Head Fire show which demonstrated how fire can be manipulated and mastered.

As the sun went down the crowd were invited to cool off outside as the stunning projection by Illuminart came to life on the huge façade of the Powerhouse building.

Lithgow Mayor Maree Stratham said the event “had some truly spectacular acts and was a fantastic free event that the whole community enjoyed”.

This event was funded by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program which aims to promote the social and economic recovery of regional communities, following the extended COVID-19 restrictions across regional NSW and impacts of border closures.