Cultural Services
Events
Council is committed to providing opportunities for the Warringah community to participate in arts and cultural activities. The Events team organises community and civic events including Australia Day, the Guringai Festival, Warringah Art Exhibition and citizenship ceremonies. The team also coordinates Council's Sister City relationships with Brewarrina (far north-west NSW) and Chichibu (Japan) and maintains Council's extensive art collection.
Australia Day
Each year Warringah celebrates Australia Day with a huge community breakfast at Dee Why Beach, Berry Reserve Narrabeen, and Melwood Oval Forestville. Over 700 volunteers take part in the organisation and running of this event which attracts over 30,000 people each year.
Art Connections
Over a period of six weeks in April and May 2006, 17 women from Warringah Printmakers Studio and the Connections Aborginal Women's Art Therapy Group worked together to 'make connections' and generate artwork for an exhibition to celebrate Aboriginal culture and heritage. The process of making art together and sharing diverse stories and experience enriched and inspired those involved.
Whale Songlines
From March to May 2004, the community participated in Whale Songlines Workshops to build 3 giant puppets, including a 10m long Whale to take part in the Whale Songlines Event. The community members who made these puppets then performed as part of the Whale Songlines event. In May 2004, Freshwater Beach came alive with the sounds of whales and the sights of thousands of lanterns. The event celebrated the migration of the whales along our coastline and featured over 1,000 community members and school children in a memorable performance.
Pasifika Sounds
Council supports its local Pacific Islander community through the Pasifika Sounds workshops and concert held at Dee Why Beach.
Council hosted the Launch of the Guringai Festival in May 2006 as a celebration of Aboriginal Culture and Heritage. The aim of the festival is to promote reconciliation and friendship between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people.
Connexions in Time
A photographic project which links young people in Warringah with young people in Brewarrina, Council's Sister City. This Exhibition was featured at NSW Parliament House during NAIDOC Week.
