FREMANTLE is keen to show that its Australia Day alternative event One Day is not just a music festival, with more activities planned.
While top Australian acts such as John Butler and Kate Miller-Heidke have performed in past events, this Saturday’s event at the Bathers Beach-Kidogo Arthouse precinct is being pitched as a showcase of Aboriginal food, culture and music.
Mayor Brad Pettitt said although previous editions of the One Day event had been “very successful” the last thing they wanted to do was let it become stale.
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READ NOW“While the concerts at the Esplanade with acts like John Butler, Dan Sultan, Kate Miller-Heidke and Montaigne have been hugely popular, we don’t want One Day to be seen just as a music festival,” he said.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved with One Day and we’ll continue to keep trying new things.”
The event will begin with a smoking ceremony at Bathers Beach at 8am and activities will include boomerang painting, rock mandalas,weaving, an Aboriginal art exhibition, storytelling and poetry readings along with Uluru Statement from the Heart and a number of other information stalls.
Natasha Eldridge, Gina Williams, Walyalup Kannajil and Madjitil Moorna choirs will be among many performers.
The event will culminate with a sunset ceremony, including the burning of six balga trees that will carry a closing message of renewal through dance, fire and song.
Dr Pettitt said One Day had been the catalyst for a continuing conversation about reconciliation and the City was committed to seeing it continue.
Among the performers will be the Yira Mar Midar dancers, which comes under the Djirrily Dreaming umbrella.
Owner Belinda Cox said they would be dancing at the event for the first time and they expected it be an inclusive day.
New citizens
The City will welcome 39 new citizens at a ceremony at the WA Maritime Museum on Sunday.
Despite the Federal Government’s new rules regarding dress codes, the City does not expect it to be an issue.
“On the invitation we advise people to wear smart casual, and most of the people taking part in the ceremony choose to dress up because they’re proud to become Australian citizens,” Dr Pettitt said.
“We will not be turning people away from what is a very special day for them.”