On Friday 3rd August 2018, Inala Community House Community Engagement and ‘My Place’ Family Day Care services participated in the “Murri Kids in the Park” free community event organised by Kyabra and C&K Gundoo Mirra Community Kindergarten.
The event marked an early celebration of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) held on 4th August every year. Children’s Day encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is also an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every child.
2018 Children’s Day theme was “Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) – Celebrating Our Children for 30 Years”.
“This is our third year organising ‘Murri Kids in the Park’ open to everyone to come and celebrate the amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with our children. We have specifically invited local kindergartens, schools and playgroups for this event, mainly for ages 0-6. It is important to continuously grow healthy, positive relationships between local Elders and our community, starting at a young age,” said a Kyabra representative.
The event started with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Alex.
A special Smoking Ceremony – an ancient custom of burning native plants to produce smoke to ward off bad spirits, acknowledge ancestors and pay respect to the land and sea of the country.
The smoke was said to have healing and cleansing properties too. All children and attendees were later invited to line up and walk through the area to experience its benefits.
Over 200 children, Educators and families turned up throughout the event. Everyone received a free goodie bag and was free to explore the stalls and stations.
Stalls
- Churches of Christ
- Deadly Kindy
- Hyumba Yumba School
- C&K/Carinity
- HIPPY
- Kyabra Play Bus
- BCC Library – First 5 Forever
- Benevolent Society
- Murri School
Stations
- Inala Community House Free BBQ
- Police and Fire Brigade
- Mini Golf
- Bunnings’ Plant Your Own Seedling
- Face Painting by Carinity School
- Pick Up Your Bag/Fruit/Water
- Elders Table
“Thank you Inala Community House for allowing us to use your space and providing free sausage sizzle for all our children and attendees today,” said a Kyabra representative during the event’s official speech.
Both our Community Engagement and ‘My Place’ Family Day Care services joined hands to grill up a storm for the event, also handing out flyers and useful information about our services.
Our ‘My Place’ Family Day Care team pictured with Leeanne Enoch MP, who is a proud Quandamooka woman. She is the State Member for Algester, and the Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science, and Minister for the Arts.
“This is our third year participating and it is always a rewarding experience for Inala Community House team to offer our space and service to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with our children and the wider local community,” said our Community Engagement manager Haley Kiata.
To contact our Inala Community House team, call 3372 1711 | info@ich.org.au | www.Facebook.com/ICHAustralia | www.ich.org.au | 38 Sittella Street, Inala QLD 4077