The Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, was proud to host Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians and Families and Services Australia, the Hon. Linda Burney MP, in Macarthur recently.

Dr Freelander and Ms Burney visited Tharawal Aboriginal Land Corporation in Airds and Briar Road Public School on Monday where they were warmly welcomed by staff and students alike.

“Our First Nation’s peoples have a proud history in Macarthur and I am delighted to have our extraordinary Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Linda Burney MP, out here today to see it firsthand.”

Both Members were met by Uncle Daryl, the CEO at Tharawal, as well as Uncle Ivan who provided a traditional smoking ceremony to the guests.

Ms Burney and Dr Freelander then met with staff to discuss Tharawal’s important community work, including their healthcare programs that focus on immunisation and dental care, as well as programs that assist Indigenous men and women gain valuable work experience and employment.

The Federal Members then visited Briar Road Public School where they were welcomed by Principle Tammy Anderson and school leaders, who provided a tour of the school and its facilities.

This included visiting classes where students proudly spoke of their Indigenous heritage, and both Ms Burney and Dr Freelander were given a warm Maori welcome by one class too.

“The staff and students at Briar Road Public School are proud of their heritage, which we were fortunate to experience firsthand when touring the school.”

“Linda and I are very thankful for the warm welcome afforded to us by the Tharawal and Briar Road communities”

The visit comes at the conclusion of NAIDOC Week observances and is an important reminder of the rich culture and stories that our First Nations peoples have in Macarthur; as well as the important work community organisations such as Tharawal and Briar Road play in our communities.