Hundreds of enthusiastic students enjoyed a day full of activity and learning about their health at Port Augusta’s National Indigenous 3on3 Basketball and Hip Hop Challenge on Friday 17 May.Over 70 teams descended on Port Augusta Basketball Stadium for a day of basketball, rapping and break dancing lessons, art workshops, a dance comp and health expo.
For event producer Mayrah Sonter the day was all about engagement and participation. “It was a fabulous day, with teams coming from as far away as Port Lincoln, Booleroo and Whyalla joining local Port Augusta schools for the event. There was huge engagement and participation from the region’s young people. A big thanks to our local committee in Port Augusta for all their help in organising the event,” she says.
Special guest role model for the day was former professional AFL star Byron Pickett who was a huge hit with the students. “He was great and got round talking with the kids throughout the day – having him there was a real highlight,” Mayrah says. The young people engaged well with all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models on the day. “We had some inspiring role models including MC Brothablack as well as local health role model Ammy Singleton and dancers Darren Compton and Rikki Wilson. Artist and comedian Kevin Kropinyeri was wonderful with the kids and DJ Jimblah got them up and dancing,” she says.
The Welcome to Country was done by Lindsay Thomas of the Nukunu people, one of the local landowners. Acting Mayor of Port Augusta Phil Greagen attended the Opening Ceremony with and Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP – Member for Stuart. An interactive health expo was also a highlight at Port Augusta 3on3 with the Pika Wiya Health Service taking the students through healthy food choices, and other health providers showing the best ways to get active and fit, and the impacts of drugs and alcohol on the body. “We also had the Australian Electoral Commission conduct a voting exercises where participants voted for their favourite healthy snack,” Mayrah says. “Our health expo was popular and engagement very high.”
The Vibe 3on3 was an extremely positive event for students, teachers and parents who attended. One parent said: “Thank you, my kids have not stopped smiling and it has made their day. It is great to see kids like that and it made my day to see both of my kids get so much out of a day of school. I am one very proud mum, and I am always proud of my kids every day but you made them feel so special. It is so great they got so much out of the Vibe 3on3. Mayrah thanked the local sponsors, which included Port Augusta French Hot Bread, Port Augusta Meat Store, West Side Vegie Patch, Woolworths, Centacare Catholic Family Services Country SA, Coles and the Port Augusta City Council; and also the local committee and Pika Wiya Health Service. She also thanked the volunteers. “We would like to send a big shout out to local committee for all their support as well as to all of the volunteers, students, teachers and health representatives who participated,” she says.
The Vibe 3on3 would not be possible without its Principal Sponsor the Department of Health and Ageing as well as our sponsors – the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport, Headspace and Australian Government – Closing the Gap and our supporters the Jimmy Little Foundation, Koori Mail, Deadly Sounds, Deadly Vibe and vibe.com.au. For news, stories and information on Closing the Gap, visit indigenous.gov.au.
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