The Welcome Boorai to Country is for all Aboriginal families with children aged between 0-2 years of age living in Latrobe. This special ceremony will acknowledge the important role Elders play in welcoming and connecting Boorai's (babies) to the land in which they are born or live on. It is also an important time to come together as a community to strengthen and share culture with one another.
In preparation for this event, families will complete a possum skin that will represent their family's journey (this will be done at The First 1000 Days weekly gatherings). The possum skin will then be presented back to the family at the ceremony, along with a certificate for their Boorai.
This special ceremony has been developed by a group of local Aboriginal women, supported by Latrobe City Council and Anglicare Victoria as part of the First 1000 Days Project. This project aims to promote strong cultural connections for Aboriginal families with children in their first 1000 days. The first 1000 days is from conception to two years of age and this lays the best foundation for children's future health and wellbeing.
The Latrobe First 1000 Days is focused on implementing 'The Journey'. The Journey is made up of several components: Welcoming Boorai to Country Ceremony; Connecting Elders to Boorai; and completing a Boorai book that includes a family tree. These activities will not only connect the new Boorai to their culture and heritage, but will help to connect the parents to culture to assist the parents to thrive and raise happy, healthy children who are connected to their local community. This is also an opportunity to bring the local community together and provide support for each other.
The Welcome Boorai to Country will be held at Kernot Hall on Sunday 4 August at 11:30am.
