Mingaletta Gala fundraiser to be held for community projects

Photo: Renee Robertson Photography

A fundraiser will be held next month in support of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community hub, Mingaletta.

The Umina-Beach based Mingaletta Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation provides essential support and community building programs to people across the Central Coast.

The fundraiser will be held on April 6 at The Entertainment Grounds in partnership with the Rotary Club of Gosford City.

Mingaletta Chairperson and local community leader, Dianne O’Brien (Aunty Di), said the group “do their best with the funds they have.

“Our programs are about strengthening our community and highlighting the role our Elders play in the development of younger generations,” O’Brien said.

“The upcoming event with Rotary will provide much needed funds to support existing programs and help us to reach a broader audience. I encourage everyone to come along and support us.”

The event will also be a book launch for O’Brien’s recent memoir, ‘Daughter of the River Country’.

O’Brien will be in conversation with local Aboriginal woman, Bobbi Murray, discussing the themes central to her story and so many other Aboriginal Elders across Australia.

President of Gosford City Rotary, Paul Jones, said proceeds will be directed towards ‘vital’ programs connecting young, local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to culture.

“We feel very fortunate to be hosting Aunty Di, a respected Yorta Yorta Elder and the Chairperson of Mingaletta Corporation,” Jones said.

“A number of leading Central Coast Aboriginal artists have supported this event with generous donations of their work which will be available for purchase and auction on the night – we thank and acknowledge them for their wonderful support.

“Gosford City is collaborating with our friends from Woy Woy Branch of CWA to provide a sumptuous dessert in addition to the fantastic catering at the Entertainment Grounds.

“Local people shouldn’t miss this opportunity to listen and learn from an outstanding community leader in Aunty Di.”

More information is available at gosfordcityrotary.org.au/

Maisy Rae