Yuin culture is set to feature at this year’s Oyster Festival, with the Katungul Aboriginal Corporation running activities to highlight the traditional culture of the region.
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Artist Cheryl Davison is organising most of the Aboriginal programme and wants to show off her love and pride in indigenous culture.
“We’ve usually just had an art tent at the Oyster Festival,” Ms Davison said, but this year food cooked in the traditional fire-pit method will be shared by all.
“When we go camping we cook this way; it’s beautiful tucker, good family cooking and our way of getting back to our culture.”
Ms Davison said six groups from the Narooma region each have an hour to cook a dish of oysters, aboalone, bimbalas, or mullet.
“Each family has their own way of cooking,” she said.
“We’re hoping the fire pit will have that spirit of welcoming people in for a feed.”
Also at the Oyster Festival, Yuin Elder and educator Noel Butler will talk about Country and plants used by local Aboriginal people at his bush-tucker stall.
The Narama Nangara Community Art Tent will showcase local artists, including those from the Katungul Aboriginal Art Group and the Mogo Women’s Art Group. Other highlights include the Djaadjawan Dancers, basket weaving and other traditional crafts, and bark canoes, including some made by Dean Kelly.
There will be a demonstration of boomerang throwing by Uncle Laddie Timbery.
Katungul CEO Robert Skeen said the organisation provided culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“It’s important for Katungul to get involved in what’s happening in the wider community, strengthen cultural aspects of the festival, and promote the good work we’re doing,’ Mr Skeen said.
He said Katungul would offer mini-health-checks to festival visitors.
More information: Narooma Oyster Festival Facebook page or website.