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Thursday 21 June 2007, Media Release

CASEY DONOVAN TO ROCK ABORIGINAL YOUTH EVENT

NSW’s peak Aboriginal organisation has secured Australian Idol winner, Casey Donovan, as the headline performer at its Bringing Back The Youth Gala Day in Tamworth on June 30.

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council’s deputy Chairperson, Tom Briggs, said he was delighted that Casey had agreed to perform at an event designed to increase the interest of Aboriginal youth in their Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

“Since winning Australian Idol in 2004 as a 16-year-old, Casey has enjoyed a No. 1 album success with For You, won ARIA and Deadly awards, and performed at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony and many other events,” Councillor Briggs said.

“It is a great coup for NSWALC to have secured her active support for our Bringing Back The Youth initiative, which is one of several steps by our organisation to generate or rekindle youth interest in the land councils’ network across the state.”

Casey will perform during the Bringing Back The Youth gala day and also meet with local Aboriginal people who attend the event at Granny Munro Oval, Coledale, Tamworth on Saturday June 30.

A number of other Aboriginal sporting and entertainment role models such as Rugby League legend, Ricky Walford, will also attend the event between 10 AM and 3 PM as well as local elders, land council officials and other dignitaries.

“We will be talking to people attending the event about the need for young people to become more actively involved in the activities of their LALCs, land rights and other Aboriginal affairs issues,” Cr Briggs said.

“Local Aboriginal Land Councils are working to liberate and empower Aboriginal people in NSW through economic and social independence. The active support of our youth will ensure a sustainable future for our land councils and long-term benefits for all Aboriginal people.”

Casey Donovan said: “I am very happy to be involved in an event that will encourage Aboriginal youth to become actively involved in their local land councils, and by doing so helping to secure a better future for all NSW Aboriginal people.”

NSWALC is consulting with a range of LALCs and community organisations in the Tamworth region to ensure maximum participation in the event, which is being organised with the assistance of a grant from the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Other community organisations and associates can also become involved by contacting the Project Co-ordinator, Daniel Teece-Johnson on 0417 210 263 for details.

Further information: Paul Molloy 0419 690 926