THE 2024 NAIDOC Ball provided a wonderful way to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in celebration of the oldest, continuous living culture on earth, when it was held at the Gundagai District Services Club on Saturday night.
With Uncle Peter Smith leading the formalities as emcee, beloved local Elder Aunty Sony Piper officially opened the ball with a Welcome to Country.
Born in Gundagai, Aunty Sony is a proud Wiradjuri woman whose culture is very important to her.
She opened the ball by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land and shared the meaning behind Welcome to Country.
“Welcoming visitors to country has always been a part of our Aboriginal culture,” Aunty Sony said.
“Crossing into another group’s country required a request for permission to enter. When we gave permission, we would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their journey. Visitors had to respect the rules of the landowners’ groups. While on their country today, it remains the same.
“We have experienced a long history of exclusion from Australian history. This is why it is so important to remember and include the Welcome and acknowledge it because it recognises us as the traditional owners of land and our connection to it. We do this to show respect to our culture and just want to protect it.
“It reminds us that every day we live, work and dream on Aboriginal land.”
Cheryl Franklin followed with a Welcome to Country in Wiradjuri language before the night’s guest speaker, Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM, took to the podium.
Aunty Cheryl is well-known for her commitment to community, cultural continuation and advocacy. She is a connector, a mentor and a coach, and works across a whole range of consultative and advisory roles as well as volunteering time and expertise to various projects on Wiradjuri country.
“Aunty Cheryl sits on countless committees and boards and provides personal advice and guidance to Wiradjuri people across the region, standing as a role model for many young people,” Uncle Peter said.
“She was part of the brains and planning for Butterfly Dreaming and volunteered her time to run the pilot with other female Elders to support First Nations young girls to feel connected and strong.
“She has been a leader in Wiradjuri and other nations for decades and has been recognised for her service to the community with an OAM.”
Now residing in Wagga Wagga, Aunty Cheryl still shares a close bond with the people she grew up with in Tumut’s Hudson Street and says this is where, for her, the fire started burning.
After her husband’s passing 12 years ago, she set about rebuilding her life, and not only a life that she loves, but a life that would make a difference to other people.
“I do lots of work that I get paid for but there’s lots of work that I do because it’s going to make a difference,” Aunty Cheryl said.
“In our council in Wagga, I’ve seen a massive change in the last 10 years. We (Elders) have a quarterly meeting with the executive there and I think that’s keeping the fire burning.
“By keeping the fire burning I think it tells us all that we’ve still got to keep going, still got to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made, so it’s really important that people put their hand up to be on boards and be on committees.
“I’m the eldest of nine children, growing up in Hudson Street, and we’ve come a long way, but there’s no use in going a long way if you’re going to leave everybody else behind. I think the really important thing is to take people with you.”
She spoke of the generations in her family who laid the foundations and how that will carry on through her grandchildren and their children to come.
“My mum is eighty next year and when I think about the resilience and perseverance of my mother, it really amazes me beyond words,” Aunty Cheryl said.
“It’s about looking after our family and our Elders. My son often talks about chucking another log on the fire and as we build for our young people, I think about my grandkids and everybody’s grandkids, what kind of world we’re going to leave for them and what kind of world they’re going to be in as that fire gets bigger and bigger.
“We’ve just got to keep supporting them.”
In a proud celebration of culture and achievement, awards were presented by Rebecca Russell and Georgina Piper to recognise the strength, excellence and commitment of this year’s five award winners.
AWARD WINNERS:
Marambangbilang Balgabalgar – Deadly Elder, Male
Uncle Stan Russell
Uncle Stan has consistently supported local Aboriginal men facing mental health, drug and alcohol challenges for the past decade. His remarkable dedication deserves recognition and his compassion has truly made a difference in their lives.
Working at Cooee Cottage for many years as a male support worker alongside Mick, he always extends a helping hand whenever possible. Additionally, his involvement on various boards and committees like the Brungle/Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council board, Police and Community Committee, and the Aboriginal Education Group showcases his commitment to advocating for the Aboriginal community.
He shares his extensive cultural knowledge by conducting smoking ceremonies and passing on his wisdom to those eager to learn.
Marambangbilang Bidyaydya – Deadly Elder, Female
Aunty Margaret Berg Snr
Aunty Marg was born in Gundagai in 1939, the eldest of six children. She grew up in Brungle on the old Mission. Her father worked as a drover and she began her career as a domestic worker on a station property where she cared for the family’s children.
Throughout her life, Aunty Marg has actively engaged in community. Despite periods of leaving, she returned and contributed to various boards and committees. She held positions such as chairperson of the Tumut/Brungle Gundagai Area Aboriginal Community Executive Advisory Committee, as well as chairperson and board member of the Brungle/Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council where she contributed to the resurrection of this important asset.
Aunty Marg has been instrumental in providing education in Brungle, volunteering her time at Brungle Public School to share stories about Aboriginal culture and history in the Dreaming Room with many children listening and learning over the years.
Her wealth and knowledge is invaluable and her presence enriches the community.
Aunty Sony Piper accepted the award on Aunty Marg’s behalf.
Marambangbilang Ginhiimaldhaauy – Deadly Achiever
Regina Russell
Regina is a dedicated volunteer who generously shares her Aboriginal culture with others as the secretary of Mawang Inc. In all her volunteer organisations, she demonstrates a deep commitment to community involvement. Her passion lies in creating opportunities for her community to engage in and learn about Aboriginal culture and language.
In her role as an Aboriginal education officer at Brungle Public School, Regina passionately teaches the Wiradjuri language and integrates this into the classroom curriculum, five days a week. Her caring and considerate nature is evident in her work, reflecting her passion for her culture and desire to educate others.
Her commitment to learning from her Elders and other knowledge holders in the community is unwavering as she continuously seeks to expand her own knowledge.
Regina also serves as a leader at the Brungle Cultural Education Centre where she helps visitors learn about culture on country. Her position in the Gyak project further highlights her dedication to promoting the importance of conservation.
Her incredible efforts make her a true asset to her community, providing invaluable opportunities for everyone to learn about and appreciate Aboriginal culture and language.
“I love what I do, I love helping people, it’s my passion,” Regina said.
“Mandaang Guwu, thank you, and we will keep that fire burning.”
Marambangbilang Giridhaany – Deadly Sportsperson
Indianna Cooper
An 18-year-old Aboriginal multi-sports para-athlete, Indi is an Australian Commonwealth track and field athlete living with cerebral palsy, affecting all four limbs as well as severe shortsightedness.
Beginning her para-athletics journey after being classified T38, her first taste of success came as she won bronze at the 2016 School Sports Australia Track and Field championships. Since then, it has been a meteoritic rise for the young Wiradjuri sprinter and para-athlete.
She competes in a wide variety of events in the T38 category, from the 100m sprint through to the 800m race, and already holds the Australian under 16 record in the T38 800m. She also holds three under 17 records in the T38 100m, 200m and 400m events, and has gone on to break two more national records at the Australian Athletics Championships in April 2021, and won two gold medals at the 2022 Australian Athletics Championships.
At her Commonwealth Games debut in 2022 in Birmingham, England, she reached the T38 final of the women’s 100m sprint and finished eighth. She was also the youngest member of the Australian Athletics team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and competed at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, held in Trinidad and Tobago where she won a silver medal.
Outside of athletics, Indi also enjoys playing soccer and league tag. She attends the para-Matildas squad football training camps with the goal of making the team in order to play in the Para Asian Cup.
The young sprinter’s determination to overcome difficulties and achieve personal milestones has always been the driving force behind her. She was also a nominee for Marie Claire magazine’s Champion of the Year in their Australian Women of the Year awards, that celebrates the gamechangers who’ve led with passion, fought with bravery and inspired us throughout the year.
Wirimbildhaany Ngurambauggu – Carer of Country
Uncle Rodney Penrith
A respected Elder and active member of the Tumut/Brungle community, Uncle Rodney has dedicated his life to caring for country.
He is renowned for his cultural awareness, working from a young age with the National Parks and Wildlife Services and careers with hands-on involvement in conservation, and in his years in the protection of endangered species like the Gyak Northern Corrobboree frog.
He frequently shares his extensive knowledge of higher healing, native flora and fauna, the Tumut grevillea and cultural burns making him a pivotal figure in community education and environmental stewardship. His contributions extend beyond his professional duties as Uncle Rodney offers support to his community members whether through physical labour or sharing his wisdom.
He is actively involved with the Brungle/Tumut Local Aboriginal Land Council, assists with conservation efforts and participates in events at Brungle Public School, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in environmental care.
Uncle Rodney’s lifelong dedication and approachable nature makes him a role model, especially for youth, demonstrating that one can build a successful career in caring for country.
Uncle Rodney’s family accepted the award on his behalf.
