Wollondilly Shire Council’s Library and Children’s Services will showcase the voices of local Aboriginal people and help share their stories with the next generation, thanks to $1500 in funding from the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

The funding has been awarded to the Council services to run story sharing activities for a range of age groups during NAIDOC Week, from 7 to 14 July 2024, and into the school term. It will support five sessions of an Aboriginal Cultural Education program for pre-schoolers and two Aboriginal art classes for primary and high school aged children.

These activities will be complemented by a screening of the award-winning documentary, The Last Daughter, which follows former Wollondilly resident Brenda Matthews’ journey to find the truth about her past and unite her family. In the lead up to NAIDOC week, Aunty Brenda will also present an author talk on The Last Daughter at the Library on Friday 21 June.

The events have been designed to promote the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme, Keep the Fire Burning Blak, Loud & Proud. The program will showcase the voices of proud Aboriginal women, passing on their knowledge and experience to the next generation and creating a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal Australian culture in the Wollondilly community.

Mayor Matt Gould has welcomed the funding and thanked the National Indigenous Australians Agency for supporting Wollondilly’s NAIDOC activities.

“I’d like to thank you to the Federal Government for this grant, which helps make it possible for us to run a really positive program during NAIDOC Week,” he said.

“The funding will support Wollondilly children and families to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of First Nations people, and help pass on the knowledge to the next generation.”

“Our Library and Children’s Services teams do an amazing job for our local young people and I look forward to seeing this important program rolled out, to continue creating better understanding in our community.”