Children's Day celebrations

Fun was the name of the game for kids of all ages to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day in Cowes.

Aboriginal-led partnership Dhelk Dja hosted the event at Tenpin Bowling and Entertainment Centre planned to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families together to celebrate culture, community and connection.

There were smiles, laughs, chats and plenty of friendly competition as the over 70 First Nations Community members and allies enjoyed ten-pin bowling, laser tag, arcade games, craft and more.

Boonwurrung Traditional Owner, Steve Ulula Parker gave a Welcome to Country and shared Boonwurrung language and story with the group who had travelled from Narrm (Melbourne) and across Gippsland to enjoy the day.

Other local Community members also presented including Sonya Hunt running arts, crafts and making and Wky Events' Les Briggs with an artefact display.

"Dhelk Dja means Safe Our Way in Woiwurrung language," said Paul Patten, Chairperson for Inner Gippsland South Coast Dhelk Dja Action Group.

"Guided by Strong Culture, Strong Peoples and Strong Families, the Aboriginal-led partnership agreement aims to prevent and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities in Victoria.

"We look forward to this event each year. This year's theme of Living Our Truth, honours the power of truth-telling, the sharing of knowledge across generations and the importance of telling our stories."

"The children are everything," added event organiser Khiara Harrison, a Yorta Yorta woman who works as a Koorie Education Student Officer (KESO) in schools across Gippsland.

"They are our future and days like this give us a chance to celebrate and lift up our young people."

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children held each year on August 4 since 1988.

For more information and events, follow South Coast Inner Gippsland Dhelk Dja on Facebook and Bass Coast Shire Council website.