Dec2013_KUPIDABIN EVENTS in November 2013
Kupidabin Four Winds Indigenous Art Gallery Opening
Kupidabin Four Winds Indigenous Art Gallery at Kupidabin Wilderness next to The Lyell Deer Sanctuary in Lyell Court Mt. Samson was officially opened on Saturday 2nd November.
95 people attended the beautiful Ceremony entering the building through an Aboriginal Smoking and Brushing Ceremony by Rev. Jennifer Thompson (Aunty Jenny) Kabi Kabi / Wakka. with the sounds of the didgeridoo played by Aboriginal Cultural Worker Danny Doyle. – Yuggera .
The Ceremony commenced with a Welcome to Country by Traditional Elder from the Turrubul Nation Aunty Denise Proud.
Welcome from Kupidabin Cultural Association Inc. Chairman Colin Hui Tong to all present acknowledging our Special Guests Seath Holswich MP for Petrie, Dale Shuttleworth MP for Ferny Grove, Councillor Bob Millar MBRC, Aboriginal and Maori Elders, Members of KCAI who had travelled from Alice Springs, N.S.W., Adelaide, Melbourne, Queensland and Maori Visitors from New Zealand.
It was a very moving ceremony with Des and Maureen Pickstone cutting the ribbon to the Four Winds Art Gallery – Maureen’s daughters Debbie and Sherrie unveiled the ‘Pounamu’- a Maori Tonga (Greenstone) covered by a Maori Cloak. The Pounamu journeyed from Aotearoa – to Mt Samson in 2009.
Maori Minister Rev Morris Rangiwai blessed the Pounamu followed by Prayers sung by the Maori Elders. Maureen related the story of the Pounamu’s journey
from Aotearoa to Mt Samson. This was followed by Cultural performances by Trackers Culture Club Aboriginal Dance Group – A group of young school students from different tribes, brought together by Cheryl Johnson ( Aboriginal School Teacher) and tutored by Aboriginal Elder Joshua Walker from the Nunukel Group at Stradbroke Island. They were great
Also a performance from a Singer from the Turanga Ake Kapa Haka Maori Dance Group. For the grand Finale he performed the ‘Traditional Haka’ and was joined by two other Maori guests attending.
The Art Gallery, housing artifacts and gifts from visiting Indigenous Elders over the years, is currently open by appointment. In 2014 guided tours of Kupidabin Wilderness
will be arranged at times to be advised. Fundraising will continue to complete the building. Donations will be gratefully accepted and a Tax Invoice issued.
For further information please contact K.C.A.I. Secretary Maureen Pickstone
Mobile 0402 092 741 or Email info@kupidabin.org
Kupidabin Gathering of the Four Winds – a Bi-Annual Multicultural Event, held 8th to 10th November in 2013.
The opening Ceremony, on Friday 8th, was attended by Senator Mark Furner – Senator for Queensland and his wife, and visitors from America, New Zealand, Queensland, Melbourne, New South Wales, Adelaide and local residents of the Moreton Bay Region.
An evening of Indigenous Song and Dance.
We had spectacular performances by Aboriginal, Maori Te Kura Rereangi Kapa Haka Group, Manus Island Cultural Group from New Guinea, Drummers and Dancers from the Cook Islands and Polynesian Islands, Native American Drummers and Singers. The Grand Finale was the Polynesian Fire Dancers.
Great Professional Performers, each group interacting with the audience. Harata and her husband Wiremu on guitar captivated the audience with their Maori Songs and Wiremu’s
Solo interactive performance. Don’t miss this event in 2015.
