The 2016 Quandamooka Festival got off to a great start on Sunday 3 July.
It heralded the start of the three-month calendar of events featured activities and interests for all ages, including whale watching tours, art exhibitions, music, song and dance, film nights, markets, food, sporting events, speakers forums and more.
The smoking ceremony launched the festival to a music and dance spectacular. It will run until the closing ceremony in mid-September. The festival is jam-packed with an extensive showcase of traditional and contemporary Indigenous art and culture.
Now in its second year, the festival offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the rich Aboriginal heritage of the Redlands and the relationship between our Traditional Owners and their land and waters.
QYAC CEO Cameron Costello said the opening event coincided with the start of NAIDOC Week and was the day before the fifth anniversary of Quandamooka Native Title determination and the signing of an historic Indigenous Land Use Agreement between Council and the Quandamooka People.
“It is great to start our program during NAIDOC with ‘Yura’ – Yura means welcome in local Jandai language and our opening event on the Dunwich waterfront will be a true celebration of people coming to be part of the Quandamooka Festival,” he said.
• An emotional moment as Auntie Margaret Iselin cuts the celebratory cake to open the Festival.