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Shire of Dumbleyung teams up with Wuddi Cultural Tours for revamped Australia Day event

Headshot of Sean Van Der Wielen
Sean Van Der WielenGreat Southern Herald
Wuddi Cultural Tours operators Anne and Grant Riley.
Camera IconWuddi Cultural Tours operators Anne and Grant Riley. Credit: Sean Van Der Wielen/Great Southern Herald

Dumbleyung’s Australia Day celebrations will look a bit different this year, with the council teaming up with a local cultural tour operator.

The Shire of Dumbleyung will partner with Wuddi Aboriginal Cultural Tours for the celebrations, to be held at Stubbs Park on January 26, with Aboriginal food, dance and culture some of the new additions to the event.

Shire President Julie Ramm said the new partnership would bring an Indigenous element to the town’s Australia Day celebrations that had been lacking in previous years.

“There is an opportunity for Wuddi to show what they offer to tourism not only locally but across the State,” she said.

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The new partnership is expected to create an “extremely different” event.

“The opportunity is there to showcase what Aboriginal people bring to our region and to highlight Noongar culture to non-Noongar people in our area,” Ms Ramm said.

Wuddi Cultural Tours operator Grant Riley said he was excited to be asked to participate in his first major event.

“It really gives us connection to our country and a bit of pride in our culture,” he said.

“There has been a lot of misunderstandings due to our different language and culture, so I am hoping it will help (non-Indigenous) people understand.”

Alongside the activities celebrating Aboriginal culture, West Coast Eagles player Liam Ryan will be signing autographs and conducting football workshops for local children.

Other activities at this year’s event include a water slide, live music and various stalls.

The partnership was possible after the council received a $30,000 grant from the national Australia Day Council.

More details on the event can be found on the Shire’s Facebook page.

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