We-Akon Dilinja

The Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, in partnership with City of Port Phillip, hosted the annual We-Akon Dilinja (Mourning Reflection) on Sunday 26 January 2025 at Alfred Square, St Kilda.

2025 ceremony

The theme for 2025 was ‘Reflect, Respect, Celebrate’.

The Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council invited all members of the community to join the dawn ceremony to reflect, respect, and celebrate together. The ceremony featured musical performances and a smoking ceremony, and was live streamed which you can watch below.

This ceremony was presented by the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, in partnership with City of Port Phillip, and supported by the National Australia Day Council.

2025 Program

Introductory Performance
Didgeridoo Player - Kiernan Ironfield
Boonwurrung Welcome Song - James Henry
A Homage to the Boonwurrung People - Fay Stewart Muir OAM – Boonwurrung Elder
Performance - John Wayne Parsons
Reading Josh Burns MP
Performance
James Henry and Melbourne String Ensemble alumni.
Piper Carter-Williams (violin); Pascal Uxo Williams (viola);
Harriet Carter-Williams (cello)
Reading - Cr Louise Crawford, Mayor, City of Port Phillip
Boonwurrung Keynote Address
Closing Performance
Smoking Ceremony - led by Willie Pepper