Anglicare celebrated NAIDOC Week on Gubbi Gubbi Country (Sunshine Coast), teaming up with local First Nations businesses My Dilly Bag and Yuluwirri Weaving for a native mocktail making and bracelet weaving lesson.
The session, hosted by Anglicare Southern Queensland’s CEO Sue Cooke and founder of My Dilly Bag, Aunty Dale Chapman, was recorded and shared across Anglicare’s corporate office and eight Residential Aged Care sites where staff and residents followed along remotely.
Aunty Dale Chapman said she started her Forest Glen based business 25 years ago after identifying a need to teach generations about the significance of Indigenous cuisine.
“It’s important for people to know that these native ingredients are available, you can grow it in your back yard, or source it from First Nations businesses, it’s very simple.
“It’s about infusing these flavours – native fruits, meat and spices into dishes you already love which could be a biscuit, Tiramisu, a dressing for a salad or sauces paired with things like chicken and lamb. It’s great for people to step outside of their comfort zone and implement these ingredients into everyday life.”
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s CEO Sue Cooke said it was important for organisations to celebrate First Nations culture, not just through NAIDOC Week, but through everyday practices.
“It’s vital to celebrate and honour occasions such as NAIDOC Week as we really need to ensure First Nations wisdom is passed on, so the stories of the many thousands of years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture can be heard through the generations,” Ms Cooke said.
“Organisations, no matter the size, have a responsibility to ensure that these stories are continuously honoured and told every single day, not just during awareness dates such as NAIDOC week.
“Aunty Dale is a powerhouse in her field, having started My Dilly Bag more than two decades ago to proudly build awareness of the Australian Aboriginal culture and educate the national and international community, taking positive steps toward reconciliation. It’s an honour to be learning from her and sharing her teachings with Anglicare Southern Queensland.”
Aunty Dale and Ms Cooke taught audience members the key to creating a delicious mocktail using all native ingredients including lemon myrtle. Viewers sipped on their creations, while moving onto the next segment of the lesson with Hannah Jones, owner of Yuluwirri Weaving for an educational bracelet weaving tutorial.
