Strong women the focus of Naidoc Day in Penrith

Hundreds gather to celebrate NAIDOC Day with a sausage sizzle, performances, helicopters and fire trucks at Jamison Park.

Mi-Kaisha, with her sister Kiki (left), sang on stage at the NAIDOC event at Jamison Park in Penrith on Friday. Picture: Danielle Jarvis

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Hundreds of people filled Jamison Park for NAIDOC 2018 celebrations on Friday.

Families took advantage of the sunny day to enjoy the many festivities sprawled across the park’s grounds.

Children got to sit in the driver’s seat of a fire truck and work the hose while, NSW Police sent down a Pol. Air helicopter, mounted police, a trail bike officer and several vehicles for kids to explore.

Cobi Graham, 7, of South Penrith sits on top of officer Andrew Hayward's police trail bike at NAIDOC celebrations in Jamison Park, Penrith on Friday. Picture: Danielle Jarvis

Face painting, rock painting, traditional drums, rock climbing and live entertainment were among the highlights.

“Because of her, we can” was the theme and attendees reminisced on the importance of having strong women in their lives.

Performer Mi-Kaisha is of Tongan background and said this year’s event was close to her heart.

Emmy Green, 4, Keira Coppensteiner, 9, Jarece Green, 8, Levi Newman, 7, and Saraya Newman, 10, play with toys at one of the many children's activities. Picture: Danielle Jarvis

“I think Naidoc is the biggest day of our calendar,” she said.

“It’s a day for the whole community to come together to celebrate and this year it’s particularly special because we’re celebrating strong black women.

“I know that our whole community we’re standing on the backs of these women who went before us and who fought for us and who made us the women that we are today.”

The event ran from 10am to 4pm on what seemed to be the perfect sunny winter day.

Stuart Ayres MP with representatives of Sydney Regional Aboriginal Corporation, including CEO Katherine Schreyenberg at Naidoc Day celebrations in Penrith. Picture: Supplied

FUNDING ANNOUNCED

Penrith state Liberal MP Stuart Ayres took the opportunity to announce $1.7 million in grant funding for the Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation to help them provide services to Aboriginal clients under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The corporation was one of 250 business to apply for a piece of the $19 million in state government funding.

“The SRAC is a not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation based in Western Sydney which supports Aboriginal people with disabilities with access to culturally appropriate services to help them live and work independently,” Mr Ayres said.

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