Council honours First Nations
Published on 18 May 2023
Our 2021 Census noted 1,794 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Frankston City, increasing from 1,337 in the 2016 Census. There are two important national weeks which Council participates in:
- National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs from Saturday 27 May through to Saturday 3 June, with this year’s theme titled “Be a Voice for Generations”.
- The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week runs from Sunday 2 July through to Sunday 9 July with “For Our Elders” as this year’s theme.
We encourage residents to take part in events helping to build awareness during NRW and NAIDOC Week:
Sculpture: Nairm Marr Djambana Gathering Place will unveil a stunning public art installation called “Spirit Dreaming”. The installation comprises of nine light pillars, each adorned with unique artworks created by members of the Gathering Place. Spirit Dreaming is a powerful expression of Indigenous spirituality, storytelling and connection to land and community with each of the nine pillars dedicated to a specific theme. Illuminated at night, the artworks are a mesmerising visual spectacle that invites viewers to reflect on the diversity of Indigenous cultures.It will be on display from Thursday 15 June through to Saturday 26 August at the Glass Cube outside the Frankston Arts Centre (37 Davey Street).
Photography: Ceberio Johnson is an indigenous, blind photographer and asks his audience to be his eyes. “I take the photo of my moments, then they see the moment for me”. Ceberio presents a series of photographs from a recent trip back to his birthplace in NT. The first trip home since losing his vision. Ceberio won the FAC Open Exhibition 2022 the entry of a joyous photographic self-portrait in which he embraces his equally happy rescue dog. The exhibition opens on 6 July from 6-8pm at The FAC Curved Wall (37 Davey Street). Register online at thefac.com.au or call 9784 1061
Dinner Dance: Frankston City Council is a Platinum Sponsor of the NAIDOC “Maskarade” Dinner Dance/Awards Night 2023 at Mornington Racecourse on Saturday 1 July, from 5.30pm. Council will be sponsoring an award and is also providing tables for community members who would be restricted from attending due to the cost of tickets.
Children’s activity: Yimba Yumba are joining Frankston City Libraries bumper school holiday event program to deliver an interactive fun program to children using a combination of storytelling, music, art, artefacts and objects. The goal is to create a space of curiosity, wonder and understanding of Aboriginal culture.
Kids playgroup: The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency’s (VACCA) Koorie Kids Playgroup offers a culturally safe, fun and empowering environment for families of children five years and under. The playgroup meets at Montague Park Playgroup Hall, Bentley Place in Frankston every Wednesday from 10.30am to 1pm and caters exclusively to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families. For more info, contact Barb at Southern VACCA on 9108 3580.
Internal training: Our Cultural Awareness training workshops have allowed Council employees to build productive and responsive relationships with Aboriginal communities. The goal of these is to enable the understanding of local Aboriginal issues, culture and ways of doing business. These workshops are ongoing and are useful in order to foster greater understanding and better communication. These workshops, along with the Diversity and Inclusion Group, ensure Council is on track when it comes to implementing better processes to communicate with all people in our community, including First Nations.
Bay Mob health expo
The Bay Mob Health Expo is planned for Thursday 1 June from 8am to 4pm. The expo showcases many of the health, education and wellbeing opportunities available for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Frankston City and Mornington Shire Peninsula. Our area hosts one of the fastest growing Indigenous Communities in Victoria.
This year’s Bay Mob Health and Education Expo will have something for everyone, with over 30 stall holders and a host of activities including: lunch and refreshments by Nairm Marr Djambana, live cultural entertainment and workshops, health info and advice on education and employment pathways, elders' lounge door prizes and physical activity sessions with various sport, recreation and leisure. Contact Nairm Marr Djambana on 9781 1521 for more info.
What you need to know about the Bunurong people
For thousands of years before Frankston City became known by its current name, the Bunurong people knew it as Monmar, a sacred place.
The name of this indigenous Australian tribe comes from “Boon wurrung”, meaning “coast people”. The nomadic tribe travelled around present-day Frankston City.
Their way of life revolved around the environment, and they moved frequently to follow food sources with their travels aligned to the seasonal movements of fish and animals. They embraced a culture that focused on storytelling, dance and art with stories passed down from generation to generation, helping to keep their traditions alive.
Despite the significant challenges faced by the Bunurong people, their descendants continue to celebrate and preserve their culture.
There are several sites important to the people, such as the Kulin Beach
midden and Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve. The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation has been established to represent the interests of Bunurong people and to ensure their heritage is preserved, whereas Nairm Marr Djambana is a welcoming safe place to improve Aboriginal health cultural, recreation and social activities. Frankston City Council also celebrates their legacy and acknowledges the
Bunurong people as the traditional custodians of this land. The flags of Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait islanders fly outside the Frankston Civic Centre.