Cultural celebration

As NAIDOC Week started around the nation, a special ceremony took place in Albany to celebrate the purchase of land by the Southern Aboriginal Corporation for the proposed Kairli Cultural and Language Centre.

With traditional dancing by locals and a smoking ceremony, Sunday’s event set the tone for a highly anticipated waterfront attraction.

SAC chief executive Asha Bhat spoke to the crowd about what the centre would bring to the region.

“The Kairli Cultural and Language Centre can assist in cultural revitalisation of the Noongar people and improve environmental awareness through connection to country with knowledge sharing, displays and cultural activities,” she said.

“This project will significantly support job creation and business enterprise targeting Aboriginal employment and entrepreneurship.

“This centre is another step towards closing the gap in outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians”.

Mayor Dennis Wellington spoke at the event and expressed his desire to see the centre established before Albany’s bicentenary.