One of the highlights of the past week was attending the NAIDOC celebrations at Logan Gardens.
Despite the event being earlier postponed due to COVID restrictions, we could finally bring the community together to celebrate the city’s vibrant and rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) heritage.
Council proudly partnered with a range of not-for-profit groups, local businesses and the Queensland Government to present the event.
It was very welcoming and I enjoyed participating in the flag raising and the smoking ceremony where native leaves were burnt to produce smoke to acknowledge the ancestors and pay respects to the land, waters and country.
There were plenty of proud moments – just to be surrounded by such a wonderfully diverse and multicultural community, all coming together to acknowledge the history, culture and achievements of ATSI peoples.
Talking with the elders, gaining a further appreciation of their culture and tapping into their knowledge of the area made for an amazing morning.
The entertainment was fantastic with students from Mable Park State School putting on a deadly dance performance while Creative Nations kept the crowd entertained.
The theme for NAIDOC this year is ‘Heal Country’ – a call for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of ATSI culture and heritage.
NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life, and that was on display at Logan Gardens.
The City of Logan is proudly home to people from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations and languages.
The 2016 Census indicated First Nations people represented 3.2 per cent of the City of Logan’s population.
But talk to the elders and they will tell you the actual figure is much higher.
At Council we proudly acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of Australia.
We uphold their ongoing connection to the lands, waterways, cultures and languages.
Coming together like this, building connections and celebrating such an incredible contribution and culture, made me proud to be a City of Logan resident – and Mayor of this great city.
