NAIDOC Week Across LLW

This NAIDOC Week, we got up, stood up and showed up!

Teams across LLW have celebrated NAIDOC Week 2022 in all sorts of ways – hosting events, attending community days and marches and sharing meals within our teams and with local stakeholders.

Our far north QLD teams joined forces to host a major event at Shanty Creek last Wednesday. More than 100 people attended to share in a traditional Kup-Murri lunch along with the staff and residents. Some of the residents bravely shared their emotional journeys of recovery.

A member of our CREST team played didgeridoo, accompanied by musician Dean, who shared his own lived experience of losing a brother to addiction.

Special guest, Gail, the CEO of Mulungu, described how her mother had been part of the group of local Elders who lobbied for the establishment of Shanty Creek many years ago.

Later in the week, FNQ staff attended the NAIDOC Week community day in Cairns. At our stall, the staff sold artworks created by the residents, raising more than $600, which will go towards re-stocking the art room at Shanty Creek!

Shout our to Travis, and all the staff in FNQ for showcasing LLW in such a positive, vibrant light!

In Toowoomba, after an early lunch celebration with local community members, the team participated in a range of local events, including a march through the city and a trivia night with Delicious Sweets (below).

Whilst the Nowra event was postponed due to the weather, the Nana Muru team took time our to celebrate over lunch.

Our Gold Coast youth team hosted a Kokedama (Japanese for ‘moss ball’) workshop for Mirikai residents and staff, a lovely activity to engage with earth, nature and each other. 

In the Mirikai kitchen Chef Shane cooked up a storm – he made bush kangaroo stew with native pepper berry and wild thyme. He even made a vegetarian version for the people who “don’t want to eat a big rodent” (his words 😀).

Our Townsville team was also part of the many celebrations happening across the city, proudly flying the LLW flag.