Koojay Corroboree
Celebrating Aboriginal ceremony, tradition & culture
On Friday May 30 2025, Council, in conjunction with the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, held the annual Koojay Corroboree on Coogee Beach as part of National Reconciliation Week.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Koojay Corroboree, a significant milestone dedicated to celebrating and recognising its impact and contribution to our local community. An exciting extended program took place celebrate this momentous occasion.
The sands of Coogee Beach came alive as Aboriginal dancers showcased traditional and contemporary performances, offering a powerful connection to the Dreaming through music, storytelling, and movement in celebration of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
The Corroboree is held during National Reconciliation Week; a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort and take fresh action in creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships.
The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future, and calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
Stallholders
This year we had a range of small business and information stalls at the event.
| Stallholder Image | Stallholder | Stall Description | Social Media/Website |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Dollies Tribe | Small business stall selling painted and unpainted dollies showing diversity and beauty. | @dolliestribe_of_jarjumdollies Dollies Tribe Aboriginal Dolls – Dollies Tribe & Co |
 | Na Joomelah | Information/display stall for the Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) program, supplying various health promotion items such as bucket hats, handballs, wristbands, air fresheners, and more. | @NaJoomelah Na Joomelah | La Perouse Tackling Indigenous Smoking |
 | Ngurrbul Clothing | Small business stall selling Aboriginal made Aboriginal clothing including hoodies, shirts and hats. | @ngurrbul.collection Premium Aboriginal Clothing – Ngurrbul Collection |
 | Tarni Jane Designs | Small business stall selling Aboriginal water bottles, t-shirts and lanyards. | @tarnijanedesigns Tarni Jane Designs – tarnijanedesigns |
 | Winston Walford Beach Towels | Small business stall selling beach towels and paintings Aboriginal Artist Rex Winston / Walford towels | @winstonwalford_aboriginalart Winston Walford | Contemporary Aboriginal Artist - Mid North Coast NSW. |
 | Carer Gateway - The Benevolent Society | Information/display stall for community with activities for kids and families | Your Life. Your Way. | The Benevolent Society |
 | Aboriginal Health Unit - South East Sydney Local Health District | Information/display stall | Aboriginal Health Unit | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District |
 | Caressa Designs | Small business stall selling children's and babies clothes and accessories | @caressadesigns |
Cultural Workshops
This year, we had cultural workshops including:
- Shell Art
- Weaving
- Bushfoods
- Learn Dharawal Language
Event Program
The event program included:
- Smoking Ceremony: David Johnson Gujaga Foundation
- Gamay Dancers
- MC Welcome: Luke Carroll
- Welcome to Country: Aunty Maxine Ryan, La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council
- A Moments Silence
- National Anthem in Language: Matraville Soldiers' Settlement Public School
- Mayor's Speech
- Local student Malaki, Matraville Soldiers' Settlement Public School
- Local Students, Tahlia Brown-Sait and Latarley Brown-Yeo from Matraville Sports High
- Saltwater Dancers
- Galu Dancers
- Jannawi Dance Clan
- Doonooch Dancers
- Kobie Dee
- Zipporah
- Cianna Walker and Olivia Coe Fox
Check out some photos from our 2025 event!
History
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs annually from 27 May – 3 June. These dates mark two milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey:
- The 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision, respectively.
- The 1967 successful referendum paved the way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be counted in the census and gave Commonwealth Government powers to make laws for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- The Mabo decision by the High Court of Australia turned over the notion of terra-nullius recognising Aboriginal native title of the lands of Australia.
Koojay Corroboree was first held in 2015 and has grown in to a significant Council event. The Koojay Corroboree is a celebration of the continuation of local Aboriginal culture and knowledge.
For more information on National Reconciliation Week please click here