27 June 2019 - Media Release
This school holidays leave the warmth of your ‘burrow’ behind and explore the great outdoors with Fun4Kids ‘Warali Wali’, a free festival for kids on Friday 12 July at Central Gardens, Merrylands.
Warali Wali, which means ‘possum’ in the traditional Darug land owner’s language, is Council’s flagship NAIDOC event. It invites kids to explore the natural world up close, while celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture and achievement.
Highlights of the festival include:
- World premiere of ARIA Award winner Dan Sultan’s kid’s album ‘Nali and Friends’
- Play School’s Luke Carroll entertaining at the main stage
- Athletes Zac Williams (GWS Giants), Hannah Darlington (Sydney Thunder) and Jada Mathysse-Whyman (Western Sydney Wanderers) lighting up the All Star Sports Arena
- Tool making and animal skin workshops with Ranger and Darug man Chris Tobin
- The return of the Tasmanian Tiger thanks to master puppeteers Erth Studio Workshop
- Aussie animal tours with Central Gardens Fauna keepers
- Grand opening of the Nocturnal House, home to native sugar gliders
- Carnival rides including jumping castle, giant slide and Ferris wheel
- Outdoor cinemas with screenings of classics Fern Gully and Blinky Bill
- Food trucks and heated food village
“Cumberland Council wants to make it easy for children, parents and their families to enjoy the school holidays,” Mayor Greg Cummings said.
“Fun4Kids ‘Warali Wali’ gives families a great day out that won’t hurt the hip pocket with heaps of free activities, rides and performances.
“Occurring in the middle of NAIDOC Week, 7-14 July, it’s also a one of a kind celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture, talent and resilience.
“For thousands of years Darug was the language of Cumberland and we are keen to honour our region’s heritage by incorporating the Darug language in the event’s title.
“We also believe that the Darug language is part of our future and Council is proud to support the ever popular Darug Language and Culture Class as part of NAIDOC Week.
“We are also providing free shuttle buses from Merrylands Train Station and Auburn Train Station to the event.
“This school holiday’s I invite all young families to rug up and step out, like the many ‘Warali Wali’ that call Cumberland home.”
