Celebrating 40 Strong Years in Land Rights

21 December, 2017

The NSW Land Rights Gala Dinner

Image: Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove, OurMob

More than 1000 people gathered at the International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour in September 2017 to pay tribute to past Land Rights legends and celebrate the network’s achievements.

NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See said the “40 Years Strong: Our Land Council Our Mob Our Future Gala” Dinner recognised the efforts of more than 200 people who in October 1977 laid the foundation for Land Rights in New South Wales when they met at Redfern’s Black Theatre.

“The grassroots struggle for Land Rights started with this historic meeting in Redfern and resulted six years later in the best Land Rights system in Australia,” he said.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

The Land Rights network, friends and families celebrated the many achievements of the past 40 years, with entertainment from legendary rock act Coloured Stone, X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace and Emma Donovan.

Emma Donovan. Image: Barbara McGrady

NAISDA Dance College also performed a special Land Rights dance.

NAISDA at the NSWALC 40th Gala Dinner. Image: Barbara McGrady

NSWALC thanked  the following organisations for their support of the 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The University of NSW as Gold Sponsor, and Silver Sponsors KARI and Chalk and Behrendt Lawyers and Consultants.

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC), Mercer and Equity Trustees were also generous supporters.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
Doonooch Dancers. Image: Barbara McGrady
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 29, 2017: NSWALC 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner on September 29 2017 in Sydney, Australia.
Coloured Stone’s Bunna Lawrie. Image: Barbara McGrady.
A selfie from the OurMob team! (L to R) Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove, Jack Kemp, James Widders Hunt, Josh Ridgeway.
Image: Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove, OurMob.
Stunning tables await the mob! Image: Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove, OurMob.

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

Image