The event was held at the Wongutha CAPS School in Gibson, where students from Esperance Primary School, Cubby House Little Treasures Day Care Centre, Teen Challenge and a number of people from the Esperance community attended the event.

Wongutha CAPS students organised themed activities, as part of their learning outcomes for the year, which included storytelling, damper making, face painting and tours of the campus.

The crowd were entertained with school band performances from both Wongutha students and the Esperance Primary School bands.

As a part of the official celebrations Aboriginal Elder and Community Representative of Aboriginal Issues Harry Graham and Wongutha students conducted a flag raising ceremony to acknowledge past Aboriginal leaders who had fought for justice, equality and education.

After a lunch prepared by Wongutha CAPS students from the stock and station class, the unveiling of a plaque containing the Prime Minister’s apology sent from Canberra was unveiled and Aboriginal Elders Sonny Graham and Harry Graham made speeches about looking to the future in a positive way.

Aboriginal Elder and Community Representative of Aboriginal Issues Harry Graham said NAIDOC celebrations were very important to Wongutha staff and students.

“This was also an opportunity to share our heritage with the community, especially with the younger generations such as the Esperance Primary School students and the children from Cubby House,” he said.

Mr Graham said the plaque would be kept at the Wongutha foyer as a symbolic gesture toward the stolen generations.

“Many kids at Wongutha had relatives or grandparents who were directly affected.

“NAIDOC day at Wongutha has been a very historical day for us and it was good to share this celebration with the community.”