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A new face for NAIDOC WeekLast week the Wonthaggi community had the chance to try on a new face at the NAIDOC Week Celebrations held at Coalfields Art Gallery. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 10th July 2006 - Back to News The week kicked off with the opening of the Indigenous Art Exhibition on 2 July, featuring work by local artists Patrice Mahoney and her student Joann Honeysett-Uzoh. The exhibition will run until the end of the month, and admission is free.
As well as the exhibition, Coalfields Art Gallery hosted a program of activities and cross cultural talks throughout the week.
There was a great turn out from South West Gippsland Preschool Daycare, with more than 30 kids coming along to have their faces painted by local Indigenous artist Patrice Mahoney.
Patrice and Bryon Powell, the Indigenous Community Development Officer for Bass Coast, Casey, Greater Dandenong and Cardinia Shires also held a series of very informative talks about their history, culture, and what it means to them to be Indigenous Australians today.
After all the excitement, the Wonthaggi Lions Club hosted a very Australian sausage sizzle to feed all the hungry revellers with kangaroo sausages for those willing to try something a bit different.
Council’s Community Development Officer, Nadine Cranenburgh thanked everyone involved in the activities.
"Patrice and Bryon did a wonderful job and the members of the Bass Coast/South Gippsland Reconciliation Group worked very hard to make this week a success," said Ms Cranenburgh.
"The Wonthaggi Lion’s Club did a terrific job as well and it would not have been possible without their support."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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