April 16, 2021 12477076-DL02-21
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The art of henna
(Louisa Jones) 234254_30
Tiara Kara-Couzens joined a dozen Geelong teens trying their hand at traditional henna art under the tutelage of local instructor Hinal Merchant on Wednesday. Ms Merchant, who has created henna since she was six-years-old, taught the youths how to make their own henna paste, and pens. Common in the subcontinent, the Middle East and parts of Africa, Henna involves creating patterns, which fade over time, on the hands, arms and other body parts. The temporary tattoos are created from a paste using a leaf that acts as a natural dye. Traditionally henna is applied for weddings, festivals and other special occasions. The activity, at Armstrong Creek East Community Hub, was one of about 20 activities over the school holidays run by Geelong council’s youth development unit. The activities including other arts and crafts, a movie night, skate drop-in sessions and more.
Civic centre name rift By Luke Voogt A perceived “lack of consultation” over the naming of Geelong council’s civic precinct has raised concerns among local Aboriginal groups and individuals about “systemic issues” in state legislation. The criticism followed council’s announcement on Monday that it would name its new $102.5 million headquarters Wurriki Nyal in tribute to the region’s Indigenous history. Pronounced WUU-ruh-kih nee-YAHL, the words mean “speak and talk together” in the
Wadawurrung language, according to council. A local Indigenous academic, who wished not be identified, told the Independent the legislation led to the exclusion of many local Aboriginal groups and individuals having their say in the later stages of the project to name the headquarters. State legislation requires council to consult the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation as the local registered Aboriginal party for the use of indigenous names. Initially, a broad and diverse range of Aboriginal groups, consultants and individuals
attended council workshops following suggestions of using an Indigenous name for the headquarters, according to council. Council followed the guidelines of the Geographic Places Names Act and the Aboriginal Heritage Act in seeking the approval of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. “I know some people who have just as much cultural authority to have a say who haven’t had a say. It’s just caused this huge wedge in the community,” the academic said. Another local Indigenous source, who also wished not to be identified, said the anger of
some local Indigenous groups over the naming highlighted issues in the legislation. “Governments want a ticked-box approach,” they said. Council’s customer and corporate services director Michael Dugina said recognising and celebrating Geelong’s Aboriginal culture had been a key focus of the civic precinct project from inception. “The city continues to implement ideas and explore opportunities to benefit Aboriginal artists and businesses,” he said. “These opportunities are made available to all Aboriginal people.
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Member for Geelong
12491531-JW16-21
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Christine Couzens MP