NGARRAMA – Newcastle’s largest reconciliation event

It also celebrated the richness and resilience of Aboriginal peoples – sporting headline acts from song and dance to storytelling through the skies.

Now, having witnessed a sea of families, friends and individuals take up the call to action, Wiradjuri man and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Nathan Towney, described the event’s humble beginnings.

“Ngarrama was born from a conversation between me and a non-Indigenous colleague, the wonderful Sarah Nash,” Mr Towney said.

“After her and her family attended ‘The Vigil’ – a similar event held in Barangaroo in the Eora nation – we both deeply believed that our own community here in the Hunter was ready to come together, commemorate and honour our shared past in the same way,”

“Through Ngarrama we want to acknowledge and address past injustices through truth telling and move forward together as a community,” Mr Towney said.

"Sit, listen and know."

This year, those early talks, and the hours of hard work that followed, culminated in thousands attending Ngarrama – which aptly translates to ‘sit, listen and know.’

Beginning with a smoking led by Worimi woman, Theresa Dargin – a special ceremony paid tribute to the meeting place the coastal headland is traditionally used for.

Representatives from surrounding communities, including Darkinyung, Wonnarua, Worimi and Awabakal cleansed community members present at King Edward Park and paid respect to the custodians that continue an unbroken connection to country.

The ceremony was an appropriate beginning to an event that aims to bring people together and to recognise the need for a united path forward.

For organiser Loren Collyer, a proud Bandjin woman and representative from the University’s Office of Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, Ngarrama forms part of a much bigger picture.

“It was so amazing to see all those people stand up and show up with an eagerness to learn from one another – on a day that can be really hard for a lot of mob and community,” Ms Collyer said.

“The energy from the audience, the families, the speakers, and performers, it was incredibly empowering and created a real sense of hope.”

“The journey towards reconciliation is a long journey, and these steps in the right direction are what will lead us to seeing real, definitive change in this country,” Ms Collyer said.

While the event presents a unique opportunity for all to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Ngarrama is no ordinary history lesson.

The natural amphitheatre allowed for a packed-out crowd; a quick scan showed limited vacancies through sparce patches of grass.

Performers took to the stage under the evening sky. Local Worimi and Gamilaroi performer Jacob Ridgeway entertained with band, as well as a set from Gamilaraay country music star Loren Ryan, who performed Cold Chisel’s hit ‘Flame Trees’ in Gamilaraay language.

The importance of passing on generational knowledge was front and centre with youth dance groups ‘Midnight Dreaming’ and ‘Winanga-y Dreaming’ delivering commanding performances.

As nightfall produced a new backdrop, Kamilaroi man, Len Waters, delivered an important talk on Dreaming and Aboriginal Astronomy, and the much-loved Curious Legends giant puppets were able to come to life to present stories as told by a local Aboriginal family, the Dates.

A large part of Ngarrama is dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural traditions that have survived since colonisation and continue to thrive today. A powerful, final display by Wakagetti Dance showed strength in a peoples who are still here.

There are plans for Ngarrama to grow and build upon its success, having already received a Vice-Chancellor’s Division award and a Golden Pineapple award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Hunter region.

Despite being an annual, one-night event – the themes of Ngarrama ring true each day. More than $2,000 was donated by the public to ensure its continuation and showed a growing appetite for reconciliation.

During his address at Ngarrama, Deputy Head of Wollotuka, Dr Raymond Kelly, spoke about the importance of the youth.

As the front row rapidly became a safe space for young ones to enjoy, Dr Kelly finished his speech by looking forward.

“Dharrulray gurri girri arri irra urri,” Dr Kelly said.

“It means the little people are playing or having fun - Let them play!” Dr Kelly said, to an audience of cheering.

In a nod to the next generation, poised to take our country forward into the next phase of history, it is hoped Ngarrama will be enjoyed for many years to come.