No smoking taught through dance

THE smiles on the faces said it all as young indigenous dancers showed off their cultural heritage at the Mary River Festival on Saturday.

Picture: Codey Warhurst

THE smiles on the faces said it all as young indigenous dancers showed off their cultural heritage at the Mary River Festival on Saturday.

Dancing in front of a huge crowd in Nelson Reserve with the Butchula Dance Troup many spectators wouldn't have known the amount of hard work put in by the children to learn the dances.

Indigenous health worker Gordon Browning said the children had been involved in a Queensland Health program to teach cultural awareness and the risk of smoking to the children through dance.

“The program raises awareness and understanding of tobacco, smoking issues and promotes a positive attitude and a smoke free life,” Mr Browning said.

“The activities helped increase the children's cultural awareness and brought mothers, fathers and grandparents together to watch and support the children.”

Free dance and art activities are held every Thursday from 3.30pm at the Uniting Church hall in Barter Street.

Originally published as No smoking taught through dance