Inaugural Cossack Dragon Boat Festival a celebration of Asian-Aboriginal connection

The historic town of Cossack was taken back to its Chinese roots at the weekend for the inaugural Dragon Boat Festival, aimed at recognising the connection between the Asian community and Aboriginal people. About 2000 people rolled up to the town previously known as Tien Tsin, where nine teams participated in several races during the day. Garlbagu Tutt Bryant and Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation chief executive Bruce Jorgenson said the event celebrated the diversity of different cultures. “We thought a dragon boat festival would be a great idea because it involved all of the community, bit of a competitive spirit, and brought families together,” he said. “There’s a strong connection between Aboriginal and Chinese people anyway so we wanted to recognise that and we wanted to celebrate all of our community as it is now in 2021. “There was a big appetite for it and so we will be doing it again next year.” Participant Dee Juskov said it was good to see community support for the event. “I love that it actually honours the Asian heritage, which I am from so I feel so welcomed, so at home being around the lion dancing and the other festivities here today, especially the food,” she said. “It’s been full of excitement and adrenaline and just really good vibes.” The festivities also included Asian food stalls and the dragon’s banquet on Saturday night.