Generous supporters gathered at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour for the third annual Anangu Communities Foundation Sydney fundraiser to help raise $75,000.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia administers the Foundation which so far has funded over $3 million in projects to support Anangu communities of Central Australia with a focus on building community capacity in healthcare, education, and economic and social participation.
Keynote speaker, Rene Kulitja, a world-renowned artist and senior Anangu cultural leader, shared her stories of connection with the land and the importance of culture and community. Rene’s most famous artwork adorns a Boeing 737 as part of the Qantas Flying Art Series, named Yananyi Dreaming.
She was joined by Dr. Bronwyn Hall, a senior representative to the Ngaanyatjarra Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council.
Both speakers discussed the Council’s award-winning Uti Kulintjaku project, which helps to bridge cultural and language barriers around mental health in local communities where English might be a second or third language. The project creates new language in Pitjantjatjara to help Anangu understand, name, and navigate mental health challenges. It helps bring the best of Anangu and western worldviews together to increase mental health literacy and wellbeing.
Other projects supported by the Anangu Communities Foundation and showcased during the presentation include a brand-new clean drinking water and ice vending machine in the town of Mutitjulu, where temperatures regularly reach 40 degrees, in partnership with Yaru Water, Team Global Express, Hindmarsh Plumbing and FredBuild construction.
Meanwhile the Adelaide Crows Foundation’s Crows on Country program has been extended through 2025 thanks to a new partnership with the Anangu Communities Foundation. The STEM footy program transforms kids’ passion for footy into hands-on classroom learning on concepts like speed, velocity, angles and trajectory.
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia CEO, Matt Cameron-Smith, said: “We’re deeply respectful of our close connection with Anangu – the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate at Ayers Rock Resort.
“We’re grateful for the generous support of staff, guests, industry and corporate partners. Because of this support, we’re able to continue to empower Anangu through important projects like the NPY Women’s Council’s Uti Kulintjaku.”
Indigenous pop duo, Microwave Jenny entranced the crowd with their soulful and layered sounds. In between touring the country for the likes of Bluesfest, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Woodford Folk Festival, their music has been featured in the TV show Offspring and the movie, Bran Nue Dae.
Over 130 attendees bid on an incredible range of auction prizes, generously donated by Lion, Baillie Lodges, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Avis, Breville, Journey Beyond, Hamilton Island, and De Bortoli, as well as Indigenous artworks from the Gallery of Central Australia at Uluru.
