Adelaide and Darwin Women's Luncheons a big hit

Guests in Darwin and Adelaide experienced The Long Walk Women’s Luncheon for the very first time in November 2011. The Long Walk held its first ever event in Adelaide on Friday 11 November with the women’s luncheon well attended by local Elders, women, Aboriginal organisations, supportive businesses and Premier Jay Weatherill. Gaurna Elder Katrina Power opened with a rousing welcome to country followed by a great presentation on the importance of Anangu people becoming interpreters from Aboriginal Language Worker Karina Lester.

MC’s Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware from Marngrook Footy Show got Michael Long to share the story of his walk to Canberra. Michael praised the work of The Long Walk Trust and thanked the South Australian community for their support. NAIDOC Person of the Year, Terri Janke talked about the importance of respecting and protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Intellectual Property. Local talent Sonya Rankine rounded out the event with her soulful singing, including a duet with Michael of The Long Walk anthem Come Walk With Me.

Get your copy of Come Walk With Me here

Project Manager Kim Kruger accepted a donation from InterContinental Adelaide towards the fundraising effort. Funds raised from the event will be donated to local organisation Marra Dreaming to participate in The Long Walk Cultural Exchange in 2012.

View photos from the Adelaide Luncheon here

Leila Gurruwiwi also MC’d the event in Darwin where Larrakia man Robert Mills offered welcome to country. The event was supported by the Northern Territory Offices of Women’s Policy and Indigenous Development as well as AFL NT. Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Statehood and Indigenous Development warmly welcomed the event to the Northern Territory and spoke of the important role all women have to play in the Northern Territory’s future.

Merryn Apma and Sue Davies, founders of the luncheon shared the vision for the luncheon, which was to bring Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal women together to exchange ideas and experience.
Nova Peris talked about the family influences that inspired her to become an elite athlete and to stand up for Aboriginal rights. Her work in Darwin now is dedicated the Nova Peris Academy which supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls to finish secondary school.

The event was lifted to a special level with beautiful performances by Shellie Morris. Funds raised will go to the Healing with Craft program of the Northern Territory Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation to participate in The Long Walk Cultural Exchange.
Both events resulted in many new connections in Adelaide and Darwin for The Long Walk and we look forward to holding the event in these great cities again in 2012.