Baalijin Community Night, part of a 3rd Space Mob Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation project called Connecting Baalijin Kids to Community, saw the launch of new line 'Gumbaynggirr Wajaarr' from JiJA Designs this week among other celebrations of life and culture.

The project's aim is to connect young people in the Bellinger Valley Gumbaynggirr Wajaarr (Country) to their culture and community, particularly those who had been disconnected from community by COVID restrictions.

The Baalijin Community Night event brought together artist Lisa Kelly, a proud Gumbaynggirr women of the Bellingen Valley living on country at Yellow Rock Urunga, with the Year 12 First Nations students at Bellingen High and young First Nations people who had been at the high school in recent years.

Ms Kelly utilises story telling through contemporary and traditional art medians connecting to country through fashion and design. The clothing range titled 'Gumbaynggirr Wajaarr' was modelled by the young people, Ms Kelly, Uncle Micklo Jarrett, and Troy Robinson.

The night was attended by 130 members of the local Aboriginal and wider community and was catered for by the high school hospitality staff and students who served a three course bush tucker meal.

"They served some of the best Kangaroo steaks I've ever eaten;" said Mr Robinson.

Local teachers and students set the scene with amazing lighting effects using Ms Kelly's designs and music chosen by her and the models.

"It's hard to describe the feeling in the room - joy, togetherness, enthusiasm - total wellbeing," said Jenni Farrands from 3rd Space Mob.

Connecting Baalijin Kids to Community is funded by Resilience NSW as a COVID-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program.