belgrave survival day - 26 Jan - don't miss it

Belgrave Survival Day 2012: Celebrating the oldest living culture on Earth on Australia Day

The Hills community will coming out in force to once again celebrate the survival of indigenous culture on Australia Day at the fifth annual Belgrave Survival Day event.

This event acknowledges the indigenous perspective on the 230 years of European occupation of Australia, and celebrates the survival of the oldest living culture on the globe through live music, storytelling, traditional dance and craft.

The organising committee have come up with a great indigenous line up for this year’s event:
- Yung Warriors - upcoming Indigenous hip hop artists
- Lou Bennett renowned singer (formerly of Tiddas)
- Jindi Worobak Dance Group
- Gnarnayarrahe Waitairie performing traditional dancing and storytelling
- Leila Gurruwiwi from the Marngrook Footy Show (Channel 31) is MC for the day

WHERE: Borthwick Park (next to Belgrave Pool) Benson St, Belgrave Melways 75/F11
WHEN: Thursday 26th January, 2012 from 12 noon to 4:30pm
COST: Free


Yung Warriors are Australia's rising Indigenous and Hip Hop music ambassors, it will be great to see them perform in our own backyard at Belgrave Survival Day.

This magnificent park allows people to relax under the trees or wander amongst the stalls. Nestled next to Belgrave Pool, you can bring your bathers for a dip later.

Activities and workshops will include a didgeridoo meditation, Aboriginal flag and badge making for

kids, traditional basket weaving and a traditional dance workshop. There will also be a range of indigenous craft stalls and a bush tucker BBQ.

Bill Nicholson Wurundjeri Elder will perform a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony and Aunty Dot Peters will also speak on the day.

Belgrave Survival Day gives people a chance to not only be educated and entertained but by their presence at the event they can help take a stand on Australia Day. A stand that recognises the ongoing historical wrongs done to the Indigenous people of Australia, and a stand for a future for all Australians based on justice and mutual respect.

The event is organised by a committee of dedicated volunteers and I'm very proud to be able to sponsor the event through a Yarra Ranges Community Grant and my community ward fund.

If you'd like to know more visit http://www.belgravesurvivalday.org/ and don't forget to like Belgrave Survival Day on facebook and joining the event.

borthwick park - in the swing

Borthwick Park, in Belgrave (next to the Belgrave Pool), has just has a major refurbishment of its play equipment.

Made possible through the Shire's Playground Replacement and Upgrade funding, new play equipment, along with park furniture and minor landscaping has been installed at the park.

It was smiles all round from kids at the park today, enjoying the new climbing frame, rock climbing wall, slides and swings to name a few.

Families were happily enjoying the new equipment which is aimed at younger children.

I am committed to ensuring that the Shire continues to have good quality places for our children to play, the early years are very important and playing in the park is an important part of development.