NAIDOC celebrations

22 Jul 2016

22 July 2017

Josie, joined by cultural facilitator Ken Hayward, led us through stories from her growing up years near Kalgoorlie and of the importance of taking time in life to find ‘our note’, or that which is meaningful in our lives.

The theme of ‘Songlines - the living narrative of our nation’ reflects traditional songs, stories, dance and art, all of which connect Aboriginal people through customs, ceremony and lore.

Josie reflected on growing up and the huge role songs carried in her life. She spoke of her mother, who couldn’t read or write, singing each day as a way to tell stories about everything going on around her.

“With song comes one note that connects us, and we are all waiting for that note to find meaning in life.

“We are sometimes more connected to technology, and while that brings many good things to our lives, it also takes away from our connection with the world and the people around us, and our ability to find that ‘note’,” she said.

St John of God Mt Lawley sits directly on the banks of the Swan River, or Derbarl Yerrigan. This is home to the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, and was called Jinjeererdup, or ‘place of the honey eater’. It was known for its abundant wetlands, filled with flowering plants, animals and bird life.