Page 27 - Port Douglas Magazine 33

“Our priority

is to provide an

authentic insight into

Indigenous culture”

Maggie Gray & Kirsty Burchill at Naidoc Gala Evening
PHOTO CREDIT: Rainemaker Media
“We haven’t always been great at celebrating local culture to the wider One hundred and thirty tickets were sold for the gala awards night with
community, especially in Port Douglas,” Kirsty explains. “The Indigenous proceeds from the ticket sales going towards the production of the event and
Events Committee gave us a platform to start making a meaningful impact in future community celebrations. “We couldn’t have hosted any of the events
areas outside our Mossman community.” without the generosity and support of the people near and far who have put
From a colour fun run on the waterfront in Port Douglas, to a gala awards their faith in us - many of our sponsors are local businesses who are doing it
night at the Sheraton Grand Mirage, this year’s National Reconciliation Week tough themselves,” she said.
and NAIDOC Week celebrations featured some of the biggest local cultural “We’ve been so touched not just by the generosity, but by the willingness of
celebrations ever seen in Port Douglas. “Our priority is to provide an authentic people in high profile positions to really back us and put their faith in us to
insight into Indigenous culture – it comes from the heart, and whilst there is create something special, and it’s because of this we have funding for future
a long way to go, and so much more we can do, it has been so rewarding to community events – we’re now on the front foot for the first time, and that’s
see the wider community come out in force, get involved, and help us make a exciting.”
difference.” What’s next for the Indigenous Events Committee? “We know we’ve ignited an
July’s NAIDOC Week gala wards night at the Sheraton Grand Mirage in important change, and we have a responsibility to continue the momentum,”
Port Douglas was a particular highlight for Kirsty. “As a community we’ve explains Kirsty. “Even now most NAIDOC Week celebrations are specific to
never done anything like it. We’ve never taken the opportunity to celebrate Mossman and we want to do more to actively promote NAIDOC across the
individual members of our Indigenous community, let alone host a gala event whole region, not just within our Indigenous areas.
at one of the most prestigious resorts in Port Douglas,” she said. As for Kirsty herself, she plans to continue her leading role on the committee
“It has been in gamechanger, and has given our Indigenous community to drive and refine future Indigenous festivities and events, yet she also has
something to unite for – a way we can recognise and appreciate each other.” aspirations to play a pivotal role in the development of remote communities.
Kirsty recalls the reaction of one award winner in particular – the recipient She anticipates the next step in her journey will revolve around health and
of the Indigenous Business of the Year Award, Zeph Walker. “Initially he was fitness.
hesitant - he wasn’t expecting it but he got on stage and spoke about how With the wheels in motion from such a young age, riding outside of a comfort
much it meant to be recognised by his community, and his vision for creating zone is nothing new to Kirsty. “I feel I can dabble in a lot of things and try and
more life-changing opportunities for our young people – it was an important make a difference.”
moment for all of us.”
PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 27