Thursday, July 8 was an emotional and proud day for Worimi elder, Janice Paulson as she welcomed a small gathering to the official flag raising of the Indigenous flag at Forster Private Hospital.
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"This is our country, it always was and always will be," she said.
"It (land) is so special to me and all of us."
The hospital - formerly Cape Hawke Community Hospital - was established 70 years ago, moving to its permanent location in South Street in 1970.
As a youngster Aunty Janice and her mob played on the Worimi site, while it was the home ground for the first indigenous football club in Forster.
Acknowledging this year's postponed NAIDOC Week celebrations - Heal Country! - she said: "We have to heal ourselves before we heal our country."
Honouring the work of former Cape Hawke Health chairman, the late Roger Lynch who pushed long and hard for the Indigenous flag to fly beside the Australian flag, new chairman, John Vaughan said Mr Lynch would have been proud of the day's ceremony.
Mr Vaughan stepped into Mr Lynch's 'shoes' following his unexpected death earlier this year.
"I am proud to speak on behalf of the hospital," he said.
Formalities wound up with a smoking ceremony by Worimi elder, Steve Brereton.
"Smoking takes away the negative energy and replaces it with love and positivity," he said.
"It shows respect to the land and to our ancestors.
"Marrungbu (meaning thank you and love and respect),"
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
