03/07/2025
🫶 Students Celebrate Elders' Birthday at Roebourne 🫶
WACRH's Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Annette and Allied Health students on placement in Karratha and Roeboune studying:
🎓 Occupational Therapy (Edith Cowan University (ECU))
🎓 Pharmacy (Charles Sturt University),
🎓 Psychology (La Trobe University & Curtin University)
recently joined the annual Old People's Birthday celebration at the historic Old Roebourne Reserve.
This special event offered a meaningful opportunity to connect with local Elders, share meals, exchange stories, and build relationships with community organisations — planting seeds for future collaborations.
📅 Why July 1st Matters in Roebourne
For over 30 years, July 1st has held deep cultural significance. Originally chosen as a collective birthday for those without official birth records, it has grown into a cherished tradition that honours Elders and their stories.
This day is now recognised as Roebourne’s most important NAIDOC celebration, intertwined with local TAFE and school events, and also marks Coming of the Light, a key moment for Torres Strait Islander communities.
The celebration takes place at the Old Reserve, a site rich in history — once home to many locals before Roebourne town was established, and the birthplace of the Pilbara Aboriginal Church, founded over 50 years ago.
A day of connection, culture, and community.
🖤💛❤️💚💙🤍