Culture to the fore

By Casey Neill
BELGRAVE will celebrate indigenous culture at the second annual Survival Day concert this Australia Day.
Indigenous artists Lee “Sonnyboy” Morgan, Healesville Traditional Dance Troupe and children’s entertainer Sparkleland will be among performers on the day.
Its Belgrave organisers wanted to celebrate indigenous culture and increase its profile in the hills.
Morgan said indigenous Australians’ previous title for 26 January, Invasion Day, contradicted the spirit of reconciliation.
“(Survival Day) represents how indigenous people of the land and country have survived and are still part of the wonderful and great landscape,” he said.
“We can honour those who came before us and move forward from issues of the past.”
Indigenous elders Aunty Dot Peters and Uncle Henry will speak at the event.
Indigenous craft and bush foods will be on offer.
The Survival Day concerts will be held at Cameo Outdoor Cinema in Belgrave from noon to 5pm on Monday 26 January.
Entry is a gold coin donation.
Details are available by sending an email to survivalday@gmail.com or calling 0401 883 091.