Winanga-y Dreaming

NAIDOC WEEK 2026

This week was such a busy week for us celebrating NAIDOC week.

We began at the University of Newcastle on Monday evening performing for the Opening Ceremony of the Indigenous National Tertiary Education games. A great night dancing under the moonlight in front of over 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tertiary education students from universities across Australia, the pinnacle of dancing to crowds such as this

Throughout the week we helped many school students and staff celebrate NAIDOC- 50 years of Deadly 🖤🙌🏽

Our team performed at assemblies, ran workshops and was inspired by many students celebrating Aboriginal culture.

We look forward to next week celebrating NAIDOC week at the Newcastle foreshore with our community, we hope you can join us ✨🖤

Samoan Independence Day 2026

We didn't write much for reconciliation week last week. We worked tirelessly every day to put reconciliation into action teaching about our culture.
Many organisations tick the box during this week. Having smoking ceremonies and performances for their part in reconciliation, this doesn't do justice to what we stand for.

Over the past three years Winangay Dreaming have had the honour to open the Newcastle Samone Independence Day. This is something that means so much to us, and we are appreciative of our friendship with Samone brothers and sisters.

Yesterday Roo had the absolute honour to be included into their ava ceremony, sitting with Elders in a special ceremony in their community.

This was such an amazing thing to be a part of and this is actually true reconciliation in action. Reconciliation means coming together, caring for other cultures, being respectful of other cultures and traditions, sharing histories and sharing friendships that are meaningful and authentic, and this is what we did together yesterday.

Apparently not many people are invited into these ceremonies and Roo was so humble to be able to sit with these Elders during ceremony. Thank you to our brothers and sisters in the Samoan Independence Day committee we thank you. We love you and we look forward to being a part of your special day for years to come.

Was so nice to be apart of Youth Express Cardiff Office opening.
Thank you for the invitation, Winangay can't wait to continue our collaboration with you.

Did ya know?

More than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples served in the First World War, and more than 4000 in the Second World War, despite not even being recognised as citizens in this country!!

On their return they were not allowed in the RSLs on ANZAC days to have a beer with their mates, and not given land ownership like other returned soldiers.

Whilst my Great Grandfather Edward Schmutter (pictured) was serving for this country in WW2, the government took his 3 children, my grandmother, from their mother at La Peroyse Mission. Sadly, we are not the only family this happened to.

Our people have served in all military conflicts including WW1 WW2, Vietnam, Iraq & Afghanistan. And in 2011 made up of 1.7% of the Australian Army.

We recognise the legacy of our service men and women, many of our families endured the heartbreak of losing members in war, we have stories of our heroes like all Australians, we are Australian! 🇦🇺 🖤

Let today be a time to recognise all of our heroes, Blk and White 🤍🖤

LEST WE FORGET

https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/serving-their-country

https://deadlystory.com/page/culture/articles/anzac-day-2018

Did ya know?

More than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples served in the First World War, and more than 4000 in the Second World War, despite not even being recognised as citizens in this country!!

On their return they were not allowed in the RSLs on ANZAC days to have a beer with their mates, and not given land ownership like other returned soldiers.

Whilst my Great Grandfather Edward Schmutter (pictured) was serving for this country in WW2, the government took his 3 children, my grandmother, from their mother at La Perouse Mission. Sadly, we are not the only family this happened to.

Our people have served in all military conflicts including WW1 WW2, Vietnam, Iraq & Afghanistan. And in 2011 made up of 1.7% of the Australian Army.

We recognise the legacy of our service men and women, many of our families endured the heartbreak of losing members in war, we have stories of our heroes like all Australians, we are Australian! 🇦🇺 🖤

Let today be a time to recognise all of our heroes, Blk and White 🤍🖤

LEST WE FORGET

https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/serving-their-country

https://deadlystory.com/page/culture/articles/anzac-day-2018

Yaegs enjoyed teaching culture at GSPS this term!

Some great activities for the young ones Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation