Ngarrama - to sit, listen and to know
The University of Newcastle is proud to welcome the wider community once again to Ngarrama.
The free public event, in partnership with Awabakal Ltd and the City of Newcastle, will return to King Edward Park on 25 January.
Ngarrama which translates to 'to sit, listen and know’ is an invitation for all to bring along your friends, family and a picnic blanket to engage in meaningful reconciliation through truth-telling, performances, open dialogue, and historical acceptance.
Held on the eve of Australia Day, the inaugural night of reflection aims to consider traditional life before 1788 and was inspired by Sydney’s Vigil at Barangaroo.
The program includes a smoking ceremony, welcome to country, traditional dance, music, storytelling, and knowledge sharing. Ngarrama celebrates the rich culture of all First Nations people, in particular the Awabakal and Worimi people, the traditional owners of the land upon which Newcastle now stands.
We hope you can join us for this special event.
Event Program
6.15pm Collaborative Art workshop (all welcome)
7.00pm Welcome and smoking ceremony
7.20pm Midnight Dreaming and Winangay Dreaming Dancers
7.30pm Youth address
7.40pm Loren Ryan performance
7.50pm Wollotuka address
8.00pm Jacob Ridgeway and Band performance
8.10pm Len Waters Astronomy Story Under The Stars
8.30pm Wakagetti Dance Performance
9.00pm Closing remarks
Artwork description
Artist: Belle Leonard
Belle Leonard is a Guuguu Yimithirr artist, designer and current University of Newcastle student completing a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design.
The Ngarrama artwork is a digital painting of the Nobbys Coastline and surrounding landscape before European settlement. Throughout the artwork are traditional Aboriginal symbols (campsites, animal tracks, and fish) to acknowledge how the traditional custodians of this land would have depicted their surroundings in art.
Belle is passionate about producing unique branding and imagery for clients as well as creating art that holds meaning and tells stories.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.