First Nations Round to honour Wadawurrung culture

THE Surf Coast Basketball Association (SBA) will partner with the Wadawurrung community this weekend to weave First Nations culture throughout its Big V triple-header as part of its NAIDOC Week celebrations.

A cultural program featuring dance, storytelling and live art will accompany Saturday night’s Youth League Men, Big V Women and Big V Men fixtures at Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay.

SBA vice-president Troy Benjamin, who is a proud Tati Tati, Wadi Wadi, Mutthi Mutthi, Latje Latje and Wemba Wemba man, said the evening was about creating an opportunity for people to experience First Nations culture in a different setting.

“When it’s weaved within a community channel like basketball, when you put it in a sporting realm, you can really bring it alive,” he said.

“There is such thing as perfect timing and with three Big V games, right at the tail end of NAIDOC week, it’s a brilliant opportunity for the platform to be given to First Nations people.”

A cultural ceremony by Indigenous performance group Malkar will feature throughout the evening, while Wadawurrung knowledge keeper Jordy Edwards and his family will share traditional dance.

Benjamin said involving members of the local Wadawurrung community was essential to ensuring the event reflected the culture and history of the region.

“There’s a real strong, thriving traditional community here,” Benjamin said. “They still live within us today.

“It’s important that local people are involved.”

The celebration will also include a live artwork by local artist Nathan Patterson, who will complete and present the piece during half-time of the Big V men’s match.

Benjamin said watching the artwork come to life would give spectators a greater appreciation of the story and process behind it.

“It’s going to be absolutely mind blowing,” he said.

“People don’t understand what goes into the method, the framework, the mindset and the connection to what he’s doing.”

The evening will begin from 4pm as the Youth League Men taPADDY SINNOTT

The Surf Coast Basketball Association (SBA) will partner with the Wadawurrung community this weekend to weave First Nations culture throughout its Big V triple-header as part of its NAIDOC Week celebrations.

 

A cultural program featuring dance, storytelling and live art will accompany Saturday night’s Youth League Men, Big V Women and Big V Men fixtures at Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay.

SBA vice-president Troy Benjamin, who is a proud Tati Tati, Wadi Wadi, Mutthi Mutthi, Latje Latje and Wemba Wemba man, said the evening was about creating an opportunity for people to experience First Nations culture in a different setting.

“When it’s weaved within a community channel like basketball, when you put it in a sporting realm, you can really bring it alive,” he said.

“There is such thing as perfect timing and with three Big V games, right at the tail end of NAIDOC week, it’s a brilliant opportunity for the platform to be given to First Nations people.”

A cultural ceremony by Indigenous performance group Malkar will feature throughout the evening, while Wadawurrung knowledge keeper Jordy Edwards and his family will share traditional dance.

Benjamin said involving members of the local Wadawurrung community was essential to ensuring the event reflected the culture and history of the region.

“There’s a real strong, thriving traditional community here,” Benjamin said. “They still live within us today.

“It’s important that local people are involved.”

The celebration will also include a live artwork by local artist Nathan Patterson, who will complete and present the piece during half-time of the Big V men’s match.

Benjamin said watching the artwork come to life would give spectators a greater appreciation of the story and process behind it.

“It’s going to be absolutely mind blowing,” he said.

“People don’t understand what goes into the method, the framework, the mindset and the connection to what he’s doing.”

The evening will begin from 4pm as the Youth League Men take on Melton.