Ngarrama, one of the Central Coast's most welcoming, thought-provoking and positive family experiences, is set to return in 2026.
Hosted by the University of Newcastle on Awabakal and Worimi country, Ngarrama translates to 'sit, listen and know' in a number of local Aboriginal languages.
Held each year on January 25, the free public community event is a night of sharing, reflection and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and has become a mainstay on the Hunter regional calendar.
King Edward Park at Muloobinba (Newcastle) will host Ngarrama this month, with support from Awabakal Ltd, the City of Newcastle, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Port Waratah Coal Services and NGM Group.
The cultural event has been the subject of a two-year in-depth research collaboration between Dr Lizette Olivier and Dr Shea Calvin from the University of Newcastle.
Among a wide range of insights, the study found that 97.87 per cent of attendees had a positive experience, and more than 97 per cent agreed the event strengthens community connection and helps project a positive image of the Newcastle and Hunter region.
Ngarrama 2026 plans to continue this overwhelmingly positive momentum, according to Bandjin woman and Acting pro vice-chancellor of Indigenous Strategy and Leadership at the University of Newcastle, Loren Collyer.
"We are so excited to welcome old friends and new to the fifth installment of Ngarrama and are incredibly proud to be spearheading what is proving to be culture-shifting engagement in our beloved community," Ms Collyer said.
The report also highlighted the event was an important addition to the culture of the region and strengthened local pride for more than 96 per cent of respondents.
"This night is about sovereignty and also togetherness and our shared history, and it becomes clearer each year that there is a growing appetite for events like this for the whole family," Ms Collyer said.
In this milestone fifth year, Ngarrama invites attendees to listen, reflect and celebrate the cultures, stories and knowledges which have shaped the region for tens of thousands of years.
The program includes a Welcome to Country, traditional dance, music, storytelling, and knowledge sharing. It will feature performances from NAIDOC-award winning singer Sharnee Fenwick, dance groups Minimbah dancers, Wininga-y Dreaming and Redfern's Brolga Academy.
The family-friendly event also invites children to participate in a lantern parade during the night led by local theatre and puppetry company, Curious Legends.
Awabakal Ltd says it is proud to be part of Ngarrama since the beginning with an ongoing partnership which continues to grow year after year.
Representing event partner the City of Newcastle, deputy lord mayor councillor, Charlotte McCabe, said Council is a proud sponsor of this important event.
"Hearing the statistics around the importance of Ngarrama to more than 97% of those surveyed really shows the cultural significance to our community. It immerses attendees in culture, informs the audience and is a unique way to showcaseour wonderful city," she said.
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