On 31 October 2019 the Gujaga Foundation provided the Welcome to Country at the Syd100 Gala Dinner celebrating 100 years of Sydney Airport. The Gamay Dancers entertained with local songs and dances and guests were formally welcomed to country by Noeleen Timbery from the La Perouse Aboriginal Community.
SYDStories
In collaboration with Coast History & Heritage and Lightwell, Gujaga provided the Aboriginal content for the first chapter of Sydney Airport’s SYDStories website.
SYDStories tells the story of Sydney Airport, from before the European settlement of Australia to the present day. Featuring interactive maps, videos, sliders, high-resolution galleries, SVG animations and timelines, this scroll-down responsive website highlights some of the key changes around Mascot and Botany Bay.
To explore the website visit sydstories.com.au.
Lendlease NAIDOC Week event
Location: Randwick hospital campus
The La Perouse community took part in a NAIDOC Week event for Lendlease staff working on the Randwick hospital redevelopment.
Lendlease staff were welcomed by Uncle Lloyd Walker and the Gamay Dancers and were then able to participate in shell art, weaving and boomerang throwing.
The shell art will be displayed at the Lendlease offices alongside the story of the buriburi (humpback whale).
Sydney Airport NAIDOC Week activation
Location: Arrivals terminal, Sydney International Airport
Throughout NAIDOC Week, the Gamay Dancers and Uncle Lloyd Walker performed a Welcome to Country and a series of dances for those flying into Sydney airport.
The activation took place inside the terminal and was a special welcome for those returning home or travelling to Sydney from abroad.
KPMG National Reconciliation Week event
Location: Tower Three, International Towers, Barangaroo
During this years Reconciliation Week, the La Perouse community took part in an event at the KPMG offices in Barangaroo.
The Gamay Dancers opened the event and Ray Ingrey participated in a Q&A with Paul Griffiths from KPMG.
KPMG staff were able to immerse themselves in a shell art workshop guided by Aunty Lola Ryan and the finished artwork is currently on display in their Barangaroo office. Uncle Rodney Mason had a range of boomerangs and artefacts laid out for KPMG staff to examine and learn about as well.
Norton Rose Fulbright event
Location: Kamay National Park
In April 2019, the La Perouse community hosted 130 Norton Rose Fulbright staff from around the world at Kamay National Park, Kurnell. The Australian arm of the law firm were holding it’s annual fundraiser in Sydney and wanted to share an authentic cultural experience with their international colleagues.
The group were welcomed by a smoking ceremony, the Gamay Dancers and La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Chairperson Noelene Timbery. The Norton Rose Fulbright staff were then offered the chance to break into four workshops; artefact and boomerang throwing, shell art, cooking and dance.
After participating in the workshops, they were then treated to a lunch box curated by the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence to showcase local Indigenous foods and ingredients.
Before departing, members of the La Perouse community and two Norton Rose Fulbright staff participated in a Q&A where our international guests heard about the future vision of La Perouse.