Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation’s NAIDOC Week finale, including drone show, a fitting celebration

NAIDOC Week is over for another year and Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation’s closing event on Saturday night ensured that local celebrations went out with a bang. Sticking firmly to the theme of Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!, a crowd of more than 700 people gathered on the Geraldton foreshore to embrace and celebrate the Yamatji community and culture. YSRC acting chief executive Luka Gray said the theme was a “powerful reminder of our enduring strength and vibrant culture” and was happy so many people joined in celebrating “the richness of Yamattji heritage, acknowledging our past and looking forward to a future filled with pride and resilience”. The event culminated in a spectacular drone sound and light show which lit up the Geraldton sky. More than 200 drones were involved in the night-time finale, Winthu Wangga, which focused on Yamatji storytelling. The Fremantle Biennale show was created by local Wajarri, Badimaya, and Wilunyu woman Charmaine Papertalk-Green in collaboration with artist Nicole Dickerson. Winthu Wangga translates to wind and the show told stories of the connection of the wind to people, animals, land, water and stars through images of an emu and its eggs, fish, a whale and traditional Indigenous dot artwork. Before that climax, Donna Ronan performed a welcome to country ceremony and people were treated to a taste of Yamatji food, including kangaroo stew, curries, emu rissoles, damper and sweets made with emu eggs. A barbecue and cake-cutting ceremony took place, with several elders doing the honours. Live music from proud Widi Mob woman Donna Atkins — who recently won the prestigious new songwriter award at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival — and Battle of the Band duo winners Lee-Anne Taylor and Malcolm Walagie entertained the crowd. Dancers from the Binmaga Dance Group also performed, conveying mesmerising and powerful storytelling through movement. Awards were also handed out in a special ceremony celebrating the achievements of YSRC’s land and sea rangers and water monitors.