The Gai-mariagal Festival was founded in 2001 and aims to raise awareness of First Nations People living in the Northern Sydney region. Festival events include workshops, art exhibitions, performances, films, talks and more.
The Gai-mariagal Festival takes place around the following significant dates:
• Sorry Day 26th May;
• National Reconciliation Week 27 May- 3 June; and
• NAIDOC Week 3-10 July.
The festival committee includes local councils, other agencies, businesses, and numerous community groups such as:
- Sydney North Primary Health Network
- Northern Beaches Council
- Lane Cove Council and Lane Cove Library
- North Sydney Council
- Stanton Library
- Willoughby City Council,
- Chatswood Library
- Mosman Council
- Mosman Youth Centre
- Ku-ring-gai Council
- The Wildflower Gardens
- Reconciliation NSW,
- Frenchs Forest Catholic Parish
- Taronga Zoo,
- Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
- Guyabanha and
- the Gaimaragal Group.
Gai-Mariagal Festival 2023 Theme
This year the festival’s theme is “Truth Telling…. For Our Elders”, which invites us to commemorate and celebrate together, converse and walk side by side towards reviewing and renewing our future together.
Gai-Mariagal Festival Events in Lane Cove
Aunty Time (Free Event)
Tuesday 30 May, Tuesday 13 June & Tuesday 20 June, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Synergy Youth Centre, 8 Little St, Lane Cove
As part of The Gai-maraigal Festival, Synergy Youth Centre partners with other youth centres from the Northern Sydney Region to deliver “Aunty Time”.
“Aunty Time” is a workshop series that provides young people with a safe and inclusive space to explore and learn about First Nations culture, education, and social emotional wellbeing (mental health).
Young people can express their thoughts and feelings, learn about themselves, and unpack taboo subjects whilst engaging in creative activities such as weaving, drawing, and painting.
The workshops are open to all ages 11 – 17. Food provided. Find out more about this event and book your spot here.
Children’s Voices for Reconciliation – Free Event
Thursday, 1 June, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, The Canopy Lane Cove
Join local North Shore Schools at The Canopy to celebrate Reconciliation Week. School groups will perform their interpretation of this year’s Reconcilaiton Week theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. The event invites everyone to use their voice to share their truths among others. This event includes songs, dance, and art from local North Shore Schools.
The Children’s Voices for Reconciliation is an annual event which started in 1997. The event was co-founded by Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation and the Lane Cove Council.
Shared Voices: Walk and Yarning Circle – Free Event
Friday 2 June, 10:30am – 12:00pm, Longueville Park, Stuart St, Longueville
Leading up to Reconciliation Week, take some time to reflect on the theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’.
You are invited to walk through Country and a Yarning Circle, a traditional way of dialogue and sharing cultural knowledge.
Hear about local Aboriginal culture and heritage with Karen Smith from the Aboriginal Heritage office.
You are invited to ask your own questions about our shared histories and cultures and how we can all contribute to a reconciled Australia.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Animals of the Dreaming – Free Event
Saturday 24 June, 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Lane Cove Plaza
Meet amazing native animals, each with their own special character. Hear stories and songs about native animals and the Dreamtime as told by Brewarrina Aboriginal Elder Col Hardy OAM. This is one of Lane Cove’s favourite events. Read more about Animals of the Dreaming here.
Lane Cove Bush Kids – River Wander
Thursday, 6 & Friday, 7 July, 9:45 am to 11:15 am
Blackman Park – meet far end of Lloyd Rees Dr, past playground.
An event at Blackman Park where parents and kids explore Lane Cove River and enjoy a reading from ‘The River’ by Palyku author Sally Morgan.
Cost: $10.85 per child (2 to 12 years), adults – no charge
Bookings essential:
Aunty Time at Lane Cove Library – Free Event
Friday, 7 July, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Lane Cove Library
Join the Lane Cove Library for a very special storytime event to celebrate the Gai-mariagal Festival and NAIDOC Week. Bring your little ones to the library and join Aunties Susan Moylan-Coombs and Caroline Glass-Pattison (the founders of the Gai-mariagal Festival) as they share cultural stories and songs and participate in a craft activity.
First Fridays with Koori Kinnections
Friday, 7 July, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Jess from Koori Kinnections will join be in Lane Cove Plaza to teach about First Nations culture. Focusing on those lessons passed down from elder’s past, present and emerging, Jess will also have an interactive activity for children to participate in.
Yuin and Wailwan woman, Jess Sinnott is the Founder/Managing Director of Koori Kinnections – a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated Cultural Education business, offering education programs and tours for all ages.
Growing up and living on Wangal and Dharug lands (Sydney), Jess gained a wealth of knowledge about Aboriginal culture, history, and heritage from her family, community, and co-workers.
Jess’s background includes work as an Aboriginal Education Officer/Cultural Educator for a number of renowned organisations, including:
- The Aboriginal Heritage Office – North Sydney
- TAFE NSW Sydney, and Northern Sydney Institute (Teacher – Cultural Tourism and Tour Guiding)
- The Royal Botanic Gardens – Sydney
- National Parks and Wildlife Service – Royal National Park
- Sydney Learning Adventures – The Rocks, Sydney
- Taronga Zoo – Bradley’s Head
As an Aboriginal Education Officer her main goals are to change the perceptions of Australian Aboriginal history and culture, and to make learning about our first people’s fun and entertaining!
Events in Northern Sydney
There are events all over Northern Sydney. To find out more about the different events, click here.
Gai-mariagal Festival Logo
The fish story symbolises that we need to take care of the environment; the land, water and sky world reminding us all it is our responsibility to care for country wherever we live, work and play and protect the creatures with whom we share this place with.
The three fish represents the trinity of the sacred world, the human world and the physical world, and fish not only represents food which we need to sustain us, in the Northern Sydney region fish live in both sweet and salt water which also brings a sense of connection of identity as sweet water people, bitter water people and saltwater people
Water is fundamental to our survival and is needed by all living beings, plants, creatures and humans. We know water to be sacred and we need to protect our water sources for future generations; it is our responsibility, our legacy, to care for all that live on Mother Earth.
In 2021, the festival’s 21st anniversary, it was time to renew, refresh and create a new look for the rebranded Gai-mariagal Festival.
Keeping it in the family, Jennifer Moylan, daughter of Susan Moylan-Coombs, designed the logo.
Our Cover Photo features the logo.
Acknowledgement
ITC acknowledges all First Nations Peoples of the lands on which we live, work and play. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
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