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Celebrating NAIDOC Week
The first of July has been a very significant day of celebration for the people of Roebourne for over 30 years.
It started at Minurmarghali Mia as a day to celebrate the birthdays of all the students that had been allocated 1st of July as their birthday. They were given this date as there were no official records of their births and the day became known as Old People’s Birthday in Roebourne.
The date has also been closely linked with NAIDOC celebrations at the TAFE and the School and is seen by many as the most significant NAIDOC Celebration in Roebourne. Although many elders who had this day as their birthday have now passed, most people in Roebourne honour this day as a day to celebrate their lives and share their story with younger generations and everyone else who wants to be part of it.
This date is also ‘Coming of the Light’ which is the Torres Strait most significant day of celebration.
The community likes to celebrate at the Old Reserve that is located just out of Roebourne on the left-hand side of the Hedland Road. This significant place was where many of our people lived before they had homes in Roebourne town. It was also the place where the Pilbara Aboriginal Church started over 50 years ago.
This year, we are pleased to be invited to the Old People’s Birthday in Roebourne.
For those who are new to Old Peoples’ Birthday, it is not ‘owned’ by anyone. It is community, individuals and groups coming together to make this a special day for our Elders.