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key indigenous australian issues
| home | news lBridging a divide
28 March 2007 - What is now known as Sydney Harbour has always been a focal point for Aboriginal tribes, especially the Gadigal (Cadigal) and the Cammeragail peoples. So it was only fitting that the hundreds of Aboriginal people were 'front and centre' during celebrations on 18th March to mark the 75th anniversary of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge that spans the harbour. They were among the 250,000 people who walked accross the bridge after it was closed to vehicle traffic for just the fifth time since it's official opening in 1932. Official proceedings began in the morning and featured speeches by Morris Lemma and NSW Govenor General Her Majesty Marie bashir, and appearances by Australian idol runner up Jessica Mauboy and Cambridge park Public School Aboriginal student Zane Walford who won the Mr Sydney Harbour Bridge poster competition. At sunset at 7.11pm Uncle Max Eulo made his way to the northern pylon of the bridge where he was met by Professor Bashir. Uncle Max lit gumleaves in his coolaman to mark the beggining of a smoking ceremony designed by Bangarra Dance company's artistic director Stephen Page to bless and cleanse the space while acknowledging the bringing together of the gadigal and Cammeragail clans and all those that use the bridge. The smoking ceremony involved the lighting of 90 forty four gallon drums on the bridge and a seperate ceremony on board the Tribal Warrior training vessel on the waters below. A soundscape composed by David page and Matthew Doyle in traditional Gadigal language was played while the last groups of walkers crossed the bridge through the smoke. The bridge was illuminated by thousands of lights placed high on its arches and accross the nearby Bradfield Highway to showcase the famous architectural structure. Source:Koori Mail
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2004
gone for a song |
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