Hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members travelled from remote communities to gather in Townsville for NRL Cowboys House's annual NAIDOC celebration at the weekend.
House General Manager Rochelle Jones said 380 family members from 29 remote communities took part in the event, which aligned with this year's National NAIDOC Week theme of 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'.
Ms Jones said the gathering created a vital opportunity to pass down cultural knowledge between generations.
"We've got so many amazing Elders within our communities but unfortunately they can't live forever, so their precious cultural knowledge, experience and stories need to be passed down to the young people, so our First Nations cultures and traditions live on through the next generation," she said.
"Our students are from remote communities, so their families don't get to meet each other, and students don't get to meet other mums and dads and siblings, so holding this event in Townsville at the House and bringing everyone here together is really special."
The event was designed to strengthen generational ties through family, cultural and community connection, and included traditional skill sharing in didgeridoo making, weaving, painting, dancing and cooking.
Thursday Island's Georgina Bob played a leading role in coordinating the cultural cook-up, which catered for hundreds.
"All of the families have brought ingredients from their communities and have put our hands together to cook a dish each," she said.
"We have coconut fish, turtle, dugong, Kup Murri, pig blood, damper, scones, curry chicken and lots more.
"It's about passing down all that we are, and there's cooking, dancing, art, and weaving as well and you can see there is a mixture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture."
The celebration also included cultural dancing, giving young people a platform to embrace and share their identity with others in the House community.
Performances featured both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions.
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said the celebration has become a key annual event.
"NAIDOC is such a special event because it's led by our students, their families and the House staff who all volunteer their time; it's a day that amplifies what we do, why we do it, and who we do it for," Ms Pelling said.
"It is also a wonderful opportunity for our partners, volunteers and stakeholders to share space, time, and food with our students, staff, and their families - and it was great to see so many of them there to share in that special energy."
The NRL Cowboys House celebration is held during Term 3 as students return to their home communities during NAIDOC Week.
This NAIDOC activity was supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
