IN PICTURES: Pingelly celebrates NAIDOC Week

The town of Pingelly came together to celebrate NAIDOC week at the Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre on June 29 with a day of festivity and First Nations engagement. The Ngamari Free NAIDOC event organised by Pingelly Primary School in collaboration with the Moorditj Youth Foundation, Shire of Pingelly and WACHS promoted healthy living and celebrated Pingelly’s Noongar elders and heritage. Attendees were welcomed to the event with a smoking ceremony conducted by Cleve Humphries before entering the hall where Pingelly Primary School principal Sam Goodlad invited Mr Humpries and Malcolm Jetta Sr to open the celebration with a welcome to country. The Pingelly Primary choir followed the welcome performing Nidja Noongar Boodja Koort before the unveiling of three murals created by students in collaboration with local Noongar elders and community members. Fremantle Docker Rodger Hyden then shared the Walyalup creation story with the audience, explaining the significance and symbolism of the Docker’s Indigenous Round emblem. The morning was closed by Johnny Garlett and the Pingelly Noongar Dance Troupe with emu, kangaroo and brolga dances and a special dance expressing happiness that the audience was invited to participate in. The afternoon was full of fun with laser tag, emergency service vehicle tours, sports clinics and a petting zoo for the children to enjoy.