This year’s annual Wujal Wujal NAIDOC Week community fun day will have a special local meaning for residents. Photo: Supplied.
Wujal Wujal is putting a local twist on this year’s national NAIDOC Week theme – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud – to recognise the community’s incredible bounce-back from the catastrophic December 2023 flood event.
The eastern Cape York township’s Back, Blak, Loud and Proud community fun day will celebrate the return of residents after every resident of Wujal Wujal was evacuated after Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council chief executive officer Kiley Hanslow said the addition of “back” highlighted the community’s resilience as they settled into a new normal.
“[This special theme is to] signify the return of community after the Tropical Cyclone Jasper disaster event, and the response and recovery efforts our community has worked through and continues progress to be even better than we were before,” she said.
“We have a long road ahead, but we will get there together.”
The day will open with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, followed by live entertainment and plenty of activities for the whole family
“It’s a great opportunity for community to come together,” Ms Hanslow said.
“Our own Wujal Wujal musician Patrick Nandy will be playing live music, and this year, we will also be bringing Normey Jay from Yarrabah up to perform in Wujal as well.
“The parade is the best event, as everyone gets involved in decorating their vehicles.”
The Wujal Wujal NAIDOC Week celebration will be held on 10 July at the church carpark from 10:30am-4pm.
