Kyabram keeps the fire burning at NAIDOC Week celebration

By Jemma Jones

Jul 22, 2024

**Kyabram community groups came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024 in the community gardens at KCLC where the Aboriginal flag flew strong in the wind.** Photo by Jemma Jones

‘Blak, loud and proud’ was the theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations; a theme that rang true at Kyabram’s celebration, which though belated, was attended by many keen on keeping the fire burning.

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On Friday, July 19, over 200 people from community groups, students from surrounding schools and local organisations gathered in the Kyabram Community Learning Centre gardens for a NAIDOC Week event organised by Aldara Yenara Aboriginal Corporation.

Aldara Yenara is based in Kyabram and strengthens Aboriginal community connection, cultural knowledge and engagement and provides support services for local First Nations people.

**Student Tyler Briggs welcomes everyone to the NAIDOC Week festivities.** Photo by Jemma Jones

The celebrations started with student Tyler Briggs, who did a fantastic job of welcoming everyone to the NAIDOC Week celebrations with a Welcome to Country.

James Fiford, who hosted the day, thanked the community groups and volunteers who have helped Aldara Yenara put together the celebrations, including KCLC, Kyabram District Health Service and the Kyabram Fauna Park.

Emcee James Fiford thanked Aldara Yenara’s community contributors such as KCLC’s Jennifer Savage and Claire Perrella. Photo by Jemma Jones

Through technical difficulties, Scott Darlow gave a memorable performance in the KCLC gardens for the Kyabram NAIDOC Week celebration. Photo by Jemma Jones

Attendees were then treated to music from Australian singer and guitarist Scott Darlow who played the yidaki (digeridoo) and guitar.

Mr Darlow is a proud Yorta Yorta man located in Shepparton and has played guitar on tour for renowned artists such as Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Jon Stevens, and Eskimo Joe.

During his performance, and in a break brought on by technical difficulties, he gave the audience a rundown on the artwork featured on his guitar that represents his family heritage.

“Every single time you see an Aboriginal painting, it always tells a story – so this is my story,” Mr Darlow said.

Running down the guitar was the Dungala (Murray River) and arrows that represent his country and his totem, and at the base of his guitar was the family meeting place that featured himself, his wife and his three children.

**Scott Darlow explained the story behind the artwork on his guitar.** Photo by Jemma Jones

Students and kids attending the event took part in arts and crafts activities and Yorta Yorta language classes that ran throughout the afternoon.

Aldara Yenara provided lunch for all through local street vendors including Mocha & Morsels and Ember Catering, with the crowd enjoying butter chicken, a spit roast and coffee, tea and snacks.

**Students from Kyabram P-12 College get in on the arts and crafts action.** Photo by Jemma Jones

Aldara Yenara program co-ordinator Taleah Briggs said it was a great day for community gathering and celebration of First Nations peoples’ cultures.

“All in all, NAIDOC itself is such a big event every year for our community, and it really represents celebration of our culture and coming together and also people being able to see family they haven’t seen in 12 months — it’s really special,” Ms Briggs said.

“It’s also really important to bring the wider community into our NAIDOC celebrations, and it means a lot to us.”

Aldara Yenara ran classes with staff at the KDHS where they would come and learn about Indigenous culture, history and about unconscious bias and how to talk to First Nations people.

KDHS was recognised in the opening ceremony for its contributions to Aldara Yenara and providing a space for Indigenous culture in its workplace.

**Students from St Mary of the Angels in Nathalia line up for a picture during the NAIDOC Week festivities.** Photo by Jemma Jones

Ms Briggs said it was important for community groups and organisations to come and learn about their culture through those programs, which she hoped to continue in the future.

“It’s a really big deal, and it’s just taking that next step, not just for the Aboriginal community but from Kyabram to come together,” she said.

NAIDOC Week ran from July 7 to 14, with the national theme ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’, which urged communities to amplify silenced voices and encouraged the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity.

While Kyabram celebrations were slightly belated, the day was still attended by many who enjoyed, learned about and recognised First Nations cultures.