18 January, 2010
A Unique Festival on a Special Day
18 January 2010
The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council has urged members of the Aboriginal community and their fellow Australians to fully support the Saltwater Freshwater Festival in Coffs Harbour on Australia Day.
NSWALC Chairperson Bev Manton says it's a unique opportunity for the whole community to come together to celebrate and share the living Aboriginal art, culture and heritage on the mid north coast.
"This will be a unique festival on a special day," she said.
"Australia Day means many different things to many different people but this festival will provide an opportunity for the whole community to come together on the day at a family friendly event.
"I'd like to congratulate the organisers of the Festival on behalf of my fellow NSWALC Councillors for their vision and commitment to the event."
Councillor Manton said Arts Mid North Coast was being staged by Arts Mid North Coast and the Saltwater Freshwater Alliance under their jointly developed Foundations of Our Future program.
The purpose of the strategy is to position Aboriginal art and culture as the foundation for the long term social, economic and environmental development of the region's Aboriginal communities.
The Saltwater Freshwater Alliance is a collaboration of nine Local Aboriginal Land Councils: Birpai, Bowraville, Bunyah, Coffs Harbour, Forster, Kempsey, Purfleet Taree, Thungutti and Unkya located within the mid north coast area.
Councillor Manton said the hosting of the inaugural Festival was a great example of what could be achieved when Local Aboriginal Land Councils worked together on such an important common objective.
"It is hoped the Saltwater Freshwater Festival will become an annual event, " Councillor Manton said.
"The success of this year's event will be vital to achieving that aim and I would urge everyone to join in the celebration."
Councillor Manton said NSWALC was proud to sponsor a dinner for Elders from the nine participating LALC communities the night before the event.
"This will be an occasion to honour and respect our Elders. They will play an important part in the festival which it is hoped will become an important annual cultural exchange for the region.
Media contact: Roy Tatten  0419 777 492