The event has been held in the local area for over 20 years. This year’s event under clear skies at the NCIE saw performances by Jess Beck, Bonnie Riley, and the Green Hand Band. The grassroots reggae and desert-rock ensemble impressed, with songwriter Tim Grey in fine voice. The band’s debut album is due for release on Gadigal Records.
Emcee Sean Choolburra kept the audience smiling, clapping and dancing. He’s a funny fella. The Indigenous Excellence Talent Quest brought musical performers of all ages to the main stage. The Quest, won by Mi-Kaisha Masella, was an event highlight.
The day had something for everyone. There was a jumping castle and face painting for kids, plus sports workshops (AFL, NRL, OzTag, Basketball and more), food, health, culture and information sharing. A mobile animal zoo set up by Feature Creatures drew many a wide-eyed visitor.
Stalls were hosted by various organisations such as Eora College, Wayside Chapel, Mission Australia, Weave Youth & Community Services, Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, Aboriginal Legal Service, The Fact Tree, Redfern Community Centre, Interrelate Aboriginal Services, and the Yarning Circle.
The Yarning Circle runs workshops all over the city and is keen to hear from community groups interested in storytelling get-togethers for children or adults. The Let’s Have a Yarn program enables participants to share stories, knowledge and experience. Using wool as a medium, the group creates a “web of knowledge” that grows and strengthens along with the confidence of participants.
Ben Madgen of the Sydney Kings was a popular attraction at the three-on-three basketball competition. “I’m really proud to be part of what’s happening today, and to be involved with the NCIE,” Mr Madgen said. “We train here regularly and the facilities are very professional.” The Sydney Kings co-captain is a committed volunteer whose own program, Madgen’s Message of Hope, supports the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
Enmore resident Jean Bartley has been making seedpod turtles for just a few months. In January, while out for a walk in the rain, she saw what looked like baby turtles on the footpath beneath a Jacaranda tree. Her painted Jacaranda seedpods bear an uncanny resemblance to baby turtles and she had many on show and for sale. Taped to the front of her stall was a letter of appreciation from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. “I gave them a couple of turtles and they really loved them,” Ms Bartley said.
