Pathfinders National Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program had a great weekend away participating at the 51st NSW Koori Knockout held on Darkinjung Land in Tuggerah, NSW. The four-day event drew an impressive crowd of approximately twenty to twenty-five thousand attendees, who witnessed some of NSW’s most talented rugby league players compete for the win. The event not only celebrated sportsmanship but also embraced the essence of family coming together, connecting, sharing, and competing for the common goal of victory.
Over the weekend, 150 teams competed across the men’s, women’s, and junior tournaments. Pathfinders National Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program was proud to assist over 60 people in obtaining their birth certificates during the weekend. Of the 60 applications, 95% were from families. There was strong interest and support for the program over the weekend, with many eventgoers taking our business cards and expressing their intention to contact us in the near future for support.
Tuggerah is the home of the Hon David Harris MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, who earlier in the month encouraged Pathfinders’ involvement over the weekend, supporting the birth certificate program’s attendance. Although we were unable to meet with the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs or his representatives during the weekend, we did have the pleasure of briefly catching up with the Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians, who expressed her appreciation for the services we provided.
