Merana Aboriginal Community Association for the Hawkesbury is the first Aboriginal organisation in the Hawkesbury, established in 2003, is celebrating 21 years in 2024. Merana helps the local Aboriginal community with services, programs, cultural activities, special events and advocacy.
Our objective is to develop, support and implement programs, positions and
resources that address and meet the needs identified by Aboriginal people
residing in the Hawkesbury LGA - Cranebrook, Londonderry and Riverstone
What's Happening
π¨ ππ¨π¨π€ π°π‘ππβπ¬ π‘ππ©π©ππ§π’π§π ππ πππ«ππ§π π’π§ πππ«π¦ π π¨
β¬οΈβ¬οΈβ¬οΈ
π£ 11th October - Family Fun Day 10:30-1:30pm
π‘ Starting 14th October - Shaun from Cheeky ...Monkeyz is joining Playgroup on Mondays! 10-11:30am (Registrations essential)
π΅ Starting 15th October - Parents & Bubs Yoga at Playgroup in the Park - South Windsor on Tuesdays 9:30-11am
π’ Starting 16th October - GO4FUN Program returning to Gurung Group (After School Program) - Wednesdays 3:30-5pm (Registrations essential)
π΄ Starting 17th October - Ironbark Program - 10:30-12:30pm (Registrations essential) Program finishes April 2025
π Starting 24th October - Weaving Workshop with Sarah Merritt 6-7:30pm (Registrations essential. Costs involved to attend each session)
π€ 12th November - Outreach 10-12pm
βͺοΈ 16th November - Cultural Immersion Program 10-12pm at Shaws Creek.
Donβt forget Meranaβs Christmas Party! πβ¨
Keep a look out on our socials for more programs and events coming up!!
Register your interest now!!
Contact Merana on:
βοΈ (02) 4588 5144
π§ admin@merana.org.au
Merana had a big day on last Friday.
1οΈβ£ Second day of Cultural training held at Merana big thank you to trainer Sigrid Herrong.
2οΈβ£ Merana assisted with an Initial meeting for the Kemps Creek Dual Pressure Mains for Sydney Water. consultation with Aboriginal people in ...particular traditional custodians. Big Didyarigura to Uncle Greg Simms for a beautiful Welcome to Country and to Shane Laws for the Smoking Ceremony - photos to come.
3οΈβ£ Youth Art and Cultural night held at Merana. Great participation. The young people learnt weaving from Sarah, assisted with an art workshop with Jess Munro and the boys began learning about smoking ceremonies , playing yadaki and cultural tools and stories with Shane Laws.
The art will be used in a future project so stay tuned.
π€πβ€οΈ
Last week the Dhangurra Nuru Womenβs Dance Group performed at the Grose View Public School Spring Fair. If you would like to have the dancers perform at your event contact Merana.
If you would like to join the dance group there will be an opportunity to learn with them in November ...β€οΈ
On Wednesday Melissa and Shane performed Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at the Cumberland Plains Conservation Plan Caring for Country Meeting at the Demonstration Farm at Richmond Lowlands. Melissa did a presentation on the partnership between Merana and National Parks and Wildlife in ...bringing Shawβs Cretk back to life for all to enjoy.
Shane did a Welcome at the Nepean Hospital Quality Awards on Wednesday night.
Melissa attended the Wentworth Healthcare Care and Connect Program Launch and performed the Welcome on Thursday night.
π€πβ€οΈ
Yesterday Merana Youth who attended last Friday nightβs Youth Art and Cultural Night helped artists Jess Munro and Cameron turn a concrete eye sore in Richmond Park into a fabulous cultural art work. Great work everyone still a little to go but what great start !! ππ©·π
Weaving Workshop π§Άπ§‘
Starts 24th October 2024 until 12th December 2024
About the workshop:
Join Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman, Sarah Merritt, as she shares traditional Aboriginal weaving techniques and history.
Weaving is a culturally, and socially ...important skill - These workshops will give you the opportunity to have a yarn while you create and learn.
Cost:
$40 per class or $300 for 8 weeks
Sarah Merritt - Facilitator π§‘
Ngaya Yaam Sarah-ga
8 week workshop
ποΈ Thursdays
β° 6pm - 7:30pm
πMerana; 2/20 West Market Street, Richmond
Register to Merana on:
βοΈ (02) 4588 5144
π§ admin@merana.org.au
Family Fun Day π
ποΈ Friday 11th October 2024
β° 10:30am - 1:30pm
πMerana; 2/20 West Market Street, Richmond
FREE EVENT
β’ Jumping castle
β’ Face painting
β’ BBQ
β’ Kids Craft
β’ Animal farm
β’ And more!!
...
Come along for a fun family day during the school holidays.
Play with some animals, have a pony ride, get your face painted and more!!
For more information contact Merana on:
βοΈ (02) 4588 5144
π§ admin@merana.org.au
Merana Aboriginal Go4Fun (Richmond) Program
Healthy Childrenβs Network-Penrith,Blue Mountains,Hawkesbury & Lithgow
ποΈ Wednesdays in Term 4
16 October to 18 December 2024
β° 4pm to 6pm
πThis program will run alternate weeks at Richmond ...Swimming Centre and Merana (opposite Richmond Oval)
π Transport available
Who is the program for?
Get healthier together - Aboriginal Go4Fun is a free healthy lifestyle program for mob. Itβs open to kids aged 7-13 and their families.
The program is for children and their families who are looking for support with healthy eating, physical activity and overall wellbeing.
What happens at Aboriginal Go4Fun programs?
Aboriginal Go4Fun is run in partnership with local Aboriginal organisations that know the community and trained Aboriginal program leaders and health professionals.
β«οΈ Play Yulunga traditional Indigenous games
π‘ Build self confidence
π΄ Make new friends
β«οΈ Manage screen time
π‘ Go on a supermarket tour
π΄ Learn about healthy eating for kids & family
β«οΈ Get active and have fun
π‘ Whole of family approach β everyone is welcome
A parent or carer is required to attend each session, or an aunt, uncle or grandparent or adult sibling is also welcome.
Families can self-register by contacting Merana on:
βοΈ 02 4588 5144
π§ admin@merana.org.au
Youth Art & Cultural Night π©·π©΅π
ποΈ Friday 20th September 2024
β° 5pm - 7pm
πMerana; 2/20 West Market Street, Richmond
Join us for Weaving, Art, Cultural tools, Didge for boys, and more..
All youth from 11-17 years are Welcome!! ...
Food & Drinks supplied
For more information contact Merana on:
βοΈ (02) 4588 5144
π§ admin@merana.org.au
Programs
Need to get in a few more steps, then come join the Merana team. Enjoy a relaxing walk, fresh air...
Aboriginal Go4Fun is a 10 week healthy lifestyle program for kids aged 7 β 13 years and their families. The...
Merana hosts an Annual Commemoration of the Battle of Richmond Hill, remembering the Darug people and other Aboriginal mobs who...
Merana provides Cultural Awareness Training for community members and community organisations. The training is a 2 day course at Merana...
Merana provides a volunteer program to people within the community who are looking to develop their skills and increase their...
The Management Committee of Merana holds a confirmation meetings each term in order to provide members of the Aboriginal community...
The National Day of Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generation Survivors and reflect on...
Merana hosts a Community Outreach Day once a term on a Tuesday between 11 β 1 pm for organisations and...
Merana holds a Family Fun Day each school holidays. It is a free and fun event for families. The event...
The After School Program is for kids aged 5 β 12 years to come and have fun in a culturally...
Merana provides a supported playgroup for parents/carers and Aboriginal children aged 0-5 years. The playgroup is held during the school...
The NAIDOC Ball was first organised by Merana in 2018. The ball has become larger with more anticipation each year. ...
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres...
About Our Logo
The surrounding ochre represents the country; the Darug land of Greater
Western Sydney. The circle of white dots symbolises the coming together
of various Indigenous community groups. The people holding hands are
symbolic of the representatives of Indigenous community groups that
make up Merana; working together, sharing resources, skills and
expertise. The pathways of white dots connect to the outside and are
symbolic of the link that Merana provides in support, networking and
shared knowledge which can then be shared with the wider community.
