More than 250 people gathered at Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve to celebrate Nharangga Cultural Day on Sunday 4 May, enjoying a powerful day of culture, connection and community.
Minlagawi Gum Flat holds deep cultural significance for Nharangga dhura (Narungga people). For thousands of years, it has served as a meeting place for the four Narungga clan groups – Garnarra (north), Windara (east), Dhilba (south) and Warri (west).
The Nharangga Cultural Day proudly continued this tradition, bringing together Narungga people and the wider community in the spirit of reconciliation and respect.
The event is held in recognition of National Reconciliation Week.
The event was emceed by Sarah Jane Hall, a proud Narungga woman and member of Yorke Peninsula Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
The day opened with a Welcome to Country by Mia and Bree Warrior and a Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Peter Turner, with assistance from Clem Newchurch and Pauly Dixon Junior. Cultural artist Sonya Rankine performed two songs in Nharangga warra (Narungga language), sharing the stories of Garrdi (emu) and Widhadha (shark).
Performance artist Nikki Ashby/Sansbury created, choreographed and performed a cultural contemporary dance piece title Wayaga, meaning shooting star, with special guest Iris Sansbury.
Expressing a self-explorative journey as Aboriginal women, the performance reflected on divine femininity evolving through stages of grief, and the solo journey toward healing.
A panel discussion hosted by Sonya Rankine brought together respected voices – Uncle Eddie Newchurch, Auntie Lesley Wanganeen, Rick Slager, Clem Newchurch and Sarah Jane Hall – to reflect on the themes of reconciliation, legacy, and the future for Aboriginal communities.
The conversation explored this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, along with the upcoming NAIDOC Week theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.
Traditional food and bush ingredients were another highlight, with Newchurch Family Farm and the Department for Education’s SA Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy serving a unique menu including tacos with quandong chilli, kangaroo mango curry, and Davidson Plum muntries punch.
Sharing and coming together over food has always been a central part of traditional Narungga culture.
Artist Harley Hall captivated the crowd with a live mural painting on the picnic shelter, depicting Minlagawi as a cultural meeting place.
Attendees were encouraged to contribute to the mural throughout the day.
Elders Uncle Rex Angie and Auntie Deanna Newchurch also shared stories about their involvement in the Guuranda Theatre production, as well as Auntie Deanna’s jewellery and the history of Point Pearce.
The day also featured a wide range of engaging activities:
- AFL footy clinic with premiership players Troy Bond (former Adelaide Crows) and Shane Bond (former Port Power)
- Market stalls from artists Sarah Jane Hall, Sonya Rankine’s LakunMara, and Portia Bond
- Face painting by Tamiya, Shanaid and Skylah Hickman Sansbury, and Mia, Bree and Maddz Warrior
- Interactive artefact and tool displays by Shane Warrior, Clem and Quahli Newchurch, and Pauly Dixon Junior
- Guided cultural walks with Uncle Peter Turner and Quahli Newchurch
- Nharangga language resources from the Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association
- Rock painting and totem art with Lisa and Aaliya Weetra, Nevayah Karpany, and Biance Newchurch
- Aboriginal symbol t-shirt keepsakes with Portia Bond
- Dance workshop with Nikki Ashby
- Sound bowl and energy healing with Mandi Faerie
- Live music by Caleb Raymond
The event is principally funded and coordinated by Council, with guidance from Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association, and supported by a planning group including Auntie Lesley and Uncle Michael Wanganeen, Sonya Rankine, Council’s Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm and Arts and Cultural Facilitator Molly Flanagan.
The event was made possible through the generous support of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, Country Arts SA, and SA Water, with Rex Minerals sponsoring the event pavilion. Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation also played a key role in promoting the event.
Ngayi yunggu (thank you) to all who contributed and attended – your support made the 2025 Nharangga Cultural Day a vibrant celebration of culture, connection, and community.
Learn more about the day by watching the short 2 minute film of the 2023 event here.
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