Weaving fun: Yarning Circles is held on the first Tuesday of every month until December 2023 Photo Credit: ICC Sydney
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM
Global, has marked National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance
Committee (NAIDOC) Week, with the launch of Yarning Circles – a
celebration of the leadership and legacy of Aboriginal elders.
Starting last week, Yarning Circles is held on the first Tuesday of
every month until December 2023. It aims to enhance the cultural
awareness of ICC Sydney’s staff by introducing them to traditional
Aboriginal cultural traditions such as weaving, artefact making, dance,
stories and conversations.
ICC Sydney CEO and group director – Convention Centres, ASM Global
(APAC), Geoff Donaghy, said his team supported First Nations community
partner KARI and hoped that this project demonstrated another way in
which the venue team was committed to reconciliation.
“Our gratitude goes to KARI and the First Nations Elders who have
taken the time to share knowledge with our team from our pre-opening
period right through to this week’s Yarning Circle.
“As an iconic destination, which stands and operates on the
traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation – the land of
Tumbalong and the waterway of Gomora, on what is known today as Darling
Harbour – ICC Sydney strives to truly reconcile with First Nations
People through our business practices and the commitments we have made
through our second Reconciliation Action Plan.
“Through Yarning Circles, we aim to build cultural competency in our
team members, and to educate and inspire our clients, visitors and local
community to do the same. In striving for reconciliation through this
practice, we hope to connect our team with the rich knowledge of First
Nations Elders and community members that has been passed down over tens
of thousands of years, as well as their vibrant, contemporary lived
stories and experiences.”
The recent weaving workshop delivered by Anna Gannon, Cultural
Support and training specialist at KARI and attended by Dharawal elder
Maxine Ryan, was a unique chance for the venue team to learn about the
ancient art of weaving, connecting them directly with Aboriginal artists
to not only practice this skill, but to converse and learn from their
stories and experiences.
ICC Sydney will broaden participation in the Yarning Circles events
to also include event organisers and stakeholders that may be keen to
use these activities into their business events, and adding the
experience to their legacy programmes.
“In time, and through our Legacy Program, we hope to inspire event
planners to engage KARI to provide this dynamic and enriching experience
for their attendees as they tap into the profound resource of First
Nations Elders,” Donaghy said.