By REBECCA BILLS
THE seventh annual Belgrave Survival Day is once again celebrating Australia’s Indigenous culture through the 225 years of white settlement.
The event, held on Australia Day, will welcome multi-award winning and legendary Australian musician Archie Roach.
Mr Roach will be playing a large back catalogue as well as some new songs from his award winning album ‘Into the Bloodstream.’
Event organiser Bonnie Zuidland said it was very exciting to have a musical legend like Mr Roach attend the event.
“We are a little bit overwhelmed that he will be with us on the day and at the moment we are busy organising everything to make sure he is comfortable on the day,” she said.
This year, the festival will include special acknowledgement of the 100th anniversary of World War I Indigenous war service and frontier wars.
Ms Zuidland said the day would also host the Welcome to the Country and smoking ceremony led led by Wurundjeri elder and educator, Uncle Bill Nicholson with the Jindi Woraback dance troupe performing a series of traditional dances.
Hosted again by ABC Marngrook Footy Show presenter Leila Gurruwiwi, Ms Zuidland said she always did a fantastic job.
“There will be plenty of activities to keep the kids busy with Indigenous storytelling, fun music and dance, tucker workshops alongside art and craft opportunities,” she said.
“We are expecting anywhere from 1500 to 2000 people to attend the day as we have had a fantastic response and people always enjoy the day.”
The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum will have a mobile museum set up, bringing to light the story of the “Battle of Yering,” – a conflict between local Wurundjeri people and police in 1840 at Yering station homestead.
The Belgrave Survival Day is on 26 January from noon to 4.30pm at Borthwick Park, Benson Street, Belgrave.
For more information, visit www.belgravesurvivalday.org.
