X-Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace and fellow First Nations performers lit up a new stage and delighted spectators at Blacktown City Council’s Warami Mittigar (‘Welcome friend’) Concert.
The platinum-selling recording star entertained fans from the newly opened Blacktown Showground Memorial Stage on Saturday.
Hip hop artist Kobie Dee and singer Riah were among others to impress.
Visitors to the showground also enjoyed cultural performances, artistic workshops, children’s activities, markets and more.
Uncle Wes Marne AM opened proceedings with a Smoking Ceremony and Aunty Cynthia Morrison delivered Welcome to Country.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the day proved a worthy highlight of NAIDOC Week (7-14 July).
“First Nations People continue to contribute so much to Australia, and we saw that through the music, cultural displays and talks at the concert,” he said.
“We are lucky Blacktown City has one of the largest urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia. It’s a great opportunity to learn from the world’s oldest living culture.”
There are more than 12,000 Blacktown City residents of Aboriginal or Torres Strait heritage.
Before the concert, Mayor Bunting announced the winners of the Blacktown City NAIDOC awards.
The recipients were: Nicole Winters (Citizen of the Year), Crystal Ferguson (Young Citizen of the Year), Janine Meini (Person Living with a Disability Award) and Tyson Adams (Sports Person of the Year).
The awards and concert were the first held on the stage, which will provide community groups the benefits of performing on a professional, outdoor covered stage.
Council funded and delivered the structure, which includes audio visual equipment, lighting, a concrete roof, roof garden, landscaping and toilets. The NSW Government also contributed funding.
Council’s NAIDOC celebrations continue on Thursday with a corroboree dancing lesson for children at Max Webber Library, Blacktown.
