Aniwan Elder Pam Meehan and Uralla Shire Council Mayor Michael Pearce opened this year's NAIDOC celebrations at Uralla on Tuesday morning, when Aunty Pam offered the traditional welcome to country.
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"I'd like to welcome everyone to our NAIDOC Week event, welcome to Mayor Michael Pearce and Councillors from the Uralla Shire Council," she said.
"I am an Elder of the Aniwan nation and it's a privileged for me to be able to give a voice to my ancestors today. Welcome to the traditional lands of the Aniwan people. This event symbolises returning of our ancestors' spirits to this ancient land.
"I would also now like to extend a warm welcome to those here today from all other Aboriginal nations. The Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old.
"They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia."
"I now welcome each of you to the traditional lands of the Aniwan people," Aunty Pam said.