A magic afternoon…
On Saturday Ro and Rob Porter’s vision came together in a heartfelt and powerful event – the opening of Lorraine Connelly-Northey’s tribute to Yackaduna (Tommy McRae).
Lorraine’s work, “a First Nation’s Canoe and Pronged Spear”, was officially launched by Helen Haines MP with Family, friends, donor representatives and community.
Jiarra Atkinson – a 6 times grand-daughter – Welcomed us to Country and shared her Family stories of Yackaduna.
The Morgan Family sent a tribute which thanked Lorraine and noted the importance to young, aboriginal people of this legacy recognition.
Uncle Dozer spoke generously about conversations and connections, before his didgeridoo music magically wove strands of the lake and its history together.
Ro and Lorraine each spoke of how Yackaduna influenced and inspired their projects. Their personal insights helped to take us on the journey from past to present and brought the day together in an open-hearted and meaningful way.
In a moving gesture, Lorraine presented Ro with one of her wire Narrbong (string bags) as a personal thank you and in recognition of the friendship established during the project.
So…… an inspiring, uplifting day of story-telling, acknowledgement, connections and reconciliation.
Arts Rutherglen thanks everyone involved: it truly felt that “we all walked together”.
