Community NAIDOC week event sees strong attendance at Rivermouth for cultural storytelling, art and dance

More than 400 residents flocked to the opening of NAIDOC week celebrations at the Rivermouth on Sunday. Taking part in a community artwork under the guidance of Elaine Clocherty, the crowds also received a welcome to country from Wadandi matriarch Vivienne Brockman Webb and her daughter Mitchella Hutchins. “It wasn’t long when we wouldn’t have been able to celebrate today,” Ms Hutchins said. “And what we want all the little fellas here to know is that yesterday has already passed. “We want everybody to understand what happened yesterday, and the impact of what happened yesterday, but no one can own yesterday. “But each and every one of you do own tomorrow and that’s where you can make a difference,” Ms Hutchins said. The event was designed to hear stories about Aboriginal people, their history, hardships and achievements, with a particular emphasis on the Capes region. The Rivermouth was considered an important place in the shared colonial history of Margaret River, including the culturally significant site of Wainelinup and the Cave Where the Old Man Died nearby upstream. Residents were invited to help create a bora, or ceremonial ground, designed by Ms Brockman Webb, Ms Hutchins and land artist Clocherty. Participants used natural materials to create the design, which symbolised a fire with four half-circular “sitting spaces” to represent the warmth and family spirit of different groups gathering to celebrate together, Clocherty said. In preparing the artwork, Ms Hutchins spoke on the story of Boranup, which was “the place of the original great meeting”. “The symbols around the bora that we’ve created are the symbols of family,” she said. “Us who walk the land are supposed to hand it on to future generations in better condition than when we received it ourselves. “It doesn’t matter what colour you are. If you’re born on this land, you belong to this land. “Each and every one of us has a responsibility to take care of tomorrow’s tomorrow, for all of our children’s children,” she said. “Our elders taught us that we are all universal people sharing one nest. If we take care of this nest and take care of each other, life is good.” The event concluded with a sunset dance.