NAIDOC Week at Rocky Bay

The sun came out on a winter’s day for our NAIDOC celebration, which took place in the beautiful gardens of our Mosman Park hub on Thursday 7 July. This event saw our guests participate in many fun and educational activities for NAIDOC week celebrations.

Noongar Elder, Ms. Robyn Collard, opened with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to
Country, inviting guests to gather around the fire to take in the smell from different native leaves. Robyn ran through a brief but captivating history of the Noongar culture and Whadjuk region.

Guests were invited to take part in art activities for all abilities led by Rocky Bay Community Staff. A Noongar Language Workshop led by Ms. Cynthia Garlett which was a fantastic opportunity for our guests to learn the Noongar language and the history behind it.

General Manager of Clinical Services, Michelle Dillon, welcomed and addressed guests on the importance of celebrating this significant event and our first nation’s people.

“The 2022 theme for NAIDOC week is Get up! Stand up! Show up! It calls for a genuine commitment by us all to cultivate our understanding, participate in cultural heritage, and demonstrate solidarity with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities” Michelle said.

Throughout the day guests enjoyed some traditional Damper, as well as light refreshments supplied by the Moon Café. This is our third year of celebrating NAIDOC week.

Also on display was an educational book for children called Visiting My Mob (Koorliny Djinanginy Moort) which takes you in the mind of young aboriginal boy Jay, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. To order a copy please contact Rocky Bay on 08 6282 1900.