Nova Peris Special Guest at NAIDOC Week Celebrations in Tumut

Published on 04 July 2018

Former Senator, Olympic gold medalist and recipient of an Order of Australia Medal, Nova Peris will be the special guest speaker at a NAIDOC Week celebratory event to be held at the Tumut Library on Wednesday 11 July.

Hosted by Snowy Valleys Council’s Tumut Library in partnership with the local indigenous community the evening will be a celebration of cultural and indigenous inspired food.

Council’s Coordinator Library Services Kristin Twomey said everyone is welcome to attend the event.

“The evening will get underway with a traditional welcome to country and then we will enjoy indigenous singing and traditional language while experiencing some tasty indigenous inspired food,” Ms Twomey said.

“Ms Peris will follow with a talk based on the NAIDOC 2018 theme, Because of Her, We Can.”

The 2018 NAIDOC week theme ‘Because of Her, We Can’ celebrates the essential role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played - and continue to play - as active and significant role models at the community, local, state and national levels.

Nova Peris has led a remarkable and varied career. In 2013, Nova became the first Indigenous female to enter the federal senate. She has also served in various capacities at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), Department of Health and Ageing, and Kimberley Land Council.

Prior to her political career, Nova represented Australia in the Olympics in both track and hockey, the latter of which saw her become the first ever Indigenous Australian to win Olympic gold. Young Australian of the Year in 1997, over the past 20 years, Nova has been a tireless campaigner for Indigenous rights, girls’ education and other causes, founding the Nova Peris Girls’ Academy, and holding a number of board and ambassadorial roles in organisations including Reconciliation Australia and beyondblue.

Joining Ms Peris for a night of celebration will be Aboriginal Elder and CEO of the Brungle Tumut Local Aboriginal Lands Council Sue Bulger, the local Indigenous singing group and graduates of the CSU Wiradjuri language class.

Local man Mark Lees will also be supplying some delicious indigenous inspired food to enjoy including Kangaroo and Curried Emu Pies.

“It’s set to be a wonderful night of celebration and reflection as we celebrate our indigenous mothers, elders, grandmothers, aunties, sisters and daughters,” Ms Twomey said.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For more information on the Tumut Library NAIDOC Week event please contact Library staff on 6941 2541.