We-Akon Dilinja

Honouring the past and realising a new united vision for our shared future

We-Akon Dilinja - a commemorative dawn service honouring the past and realising a new united vision from the perspective of First Nations performers and speakers - is in its fourth year. This year's ceremony is themed Honouring the past and realising a new united vision for our shared future. 

We-Akon Dilinja is presented by the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council in partnership City of Port Phillip and supported by the National Australia Day Council.

This moving event, which will also be livestreamed, includes musical performances and a smoking ceremony. Readings will be given by Mayor Heather Cunsolo and multi-faith representatives. No bookings are required.  

Livestream

Watch the recording of the 2023 event below. 

We-Akon Dilinja program (Alfred Square, St Kilda) 1.21 MB PDF

We-Akon Dilinja program
Thursday 26 January 2023
Alfred Square, St Kilda

5.45 am    Arrival requested
     6 am    Didgeridoo player – Kiernan Ironfield
6.02 am    MC – Bo Svoronos
6.04 am    Boonwurrung song – “Long Time Living Here” – Shauntai Batzke (written by Deborah Cheetham AO, Parbinata Carolyn Briggs, Jarra Steel & Aunty                     Fay Stewart Muir)
6.06 am    Welcome to Country and Introduction – Parbinata Dr Carolyn Briggs AM
6.10 am    Speech - Josh Burns MP
6.13 am    Welcome to Country and Introduction –N’arweet Jason Briggs
6.18 am    Original piece – Jess Hitchcock
6.20 am    First reading – Cr Heather Cunsolo, Mayor City of Port Phillip
6.21 am    Shofar with Jewish prayer – Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann
6.23 am    South-Eastern Queensland Aboriginal Language Song – John Wayne-Parsons (lead vocals) accompanied by Cisco (guitar)
6.25 am    Second reading –Janet Galpin
6.27 am    Tribute to past Boonwurrung Elders – Parbinata Carolyn Briggs
6.32 am    Kemer Kemer Meriam Song – John Wayne-Parsons (lead vocals) accompanied by Cisco (guitar)
6.37 am    Waternests (original song) – Brett Lee
6.40 am    Smoking Ceremony – David Tournier
     7 am    Close

Livestream Wednesday 26 January 2022

The full We-Akon Dilinja event from 26 January 2022 can be viewed below. 

We-Akon Dilinja program
Wednesday, 26^th January 2022
Alfred Square, St Kilda

5.45 am    Arrival requested
6.00 am    Didgeridoo player – Kiernan Ironfield
6.02 am    MC – Bo Svoronos
6.04 am    Boonwurrung Welcome song – James Henry (written by James Henry & Jarra Steel)
6.06 am    Welcome to Country and Introduction – Parbinata Dr Carolyn Briggs AM
6.10 am    N’arweet Jason Briggs
6.15 am    Boonwurrung song – “Long Time Living Here” – Shauntai Batzke (written by Deborah Cheetham AO, Parbinata Carolyn Briggs, Jarra Steel & Aunty Fay Stewart Muir)
6.17 am    1^st reading – Dick Gross
6.19 am    Shofar with Jewish prayer – Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann
6.21 am    Wiradjuri song – Babirra Nyiwarri Gariya Giran – Shauntai Batzke (written by Shauntai Batzke)
6.23 am    2^nd reading – Cr Marcus Pearl, Mayor City of Port Phillip
6.25 am    Tribute to past Boonwurrung Elders – Parbinata Carolyn Briggs & Michael Julian
6.30 am    Boonwurrung song – Balayang (written by Marbee Williams) & Yuwaalaraay song – Murrgumurrgu (written by James Henry) – James Henry (lead vocals) accompanied by Michael Julian (percussion) & Caerwen Martin (cello)
6.35 am    Smoking Ceremony – David Tournier
7.00 am    Close

2021 ceremony