FIRST NATIONS AT FIRST LIGHT ON
AUSTRALIA DAY 2021 IN SYDNEY

For the first time on Australia Day, the Sydney Opera House sails have been lit up at dawn with Indigenous art as a poignant recognition of Australia’s First Nations people. Shortly after first light, the Aboriginal flag was raised alongside the Australian flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

These two significant dawn moments set the tone for Australia Day 2021 across NSW with a focus on reflecting and respecting all that makes our country so special.

NSW artist, Frances Belle-Parker, was commissioned to create the artwork for the projection on the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Ms Belle-Parker, a proud Yaegl woman, mother and artist from Maclean on the Clarence River, said she is proud to have designed the projection to represent the oldest living culture in the world.

“By creating this work, it gave myself the opportunity to help tell a story that not only represents who we are as a nation but also to give people a wider understanding of Aboriginal Culture and how valuable it really is to our identity as a nation,” she said.

“Our sense of belonging to the land is something that is intrinsically embedded into our being, and as First Nations people we are responsible for sharing the truth of our history.”

The colours of the artwork are inspired by the vast array of colours present in the Australian landscape and coastline. The circle markings depict the 250-plus Aboriginal Language groups present in Australia and the linear marks represent the 200 nationalities that call Australia home.

The projection coincided with both the Australian and the Aboriginal flags being raised on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In previous years, both flags were raised at the conclusion of the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve. The WugulOra Morning Ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC TV and iview from 7.30am.

Yvonne Weldon, Chair of Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council said it’s a time for inclusion and the opportunity for greater understanding and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. A time to draw on the strength and resilience of our First People.

“The raising of the Aboriginal Flag at the outset of Australia Day symbolises a deep respect for Aboriginal people and culture within New South Wales – in the first State, at first light we recognise our First Nations,” Ms Weldon said“It is an important moment to remember that Australia’s First Nation’s people are the foundation of our nation’s story. It is important to acknowledge and honour the sacrifices and we thank the ancestors for their custodianship for thousands of generations.”

The Sydney Opera House projection commenced at 5.20am. The Aboriginal and Australian flags were raised on the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 5.45am.

For more information visit www.australiaday.com.au.

MEDIA: DPC Media: media@dpc.nsw.gov.au

Title – ‘Angwirri’ © Frances Belle Parker 2021
Year – 2021
Artist – Frances Belle Parker
Yaegl Artist
(Angwirri – pronounced Ung-wer-ri) means begin to talk in Yaygirr Language from Maclean NSW.
Artist Statement –
“The colours are inspired by the vast array of colours present in the Australian landscape and coastline. The brown
linear design symbolises a mapping of country/coastline.
The circle markings depict the 250+ Aboriginal Language groups present in Australia and the linear marks represent
the 200 nationalities that call Australia home.”
Artist Quote about the project–
“By creating this work, it gave myself the opportunity to help tell a story that not only represents who we are as a nation but also to give people a wider understanding of Aboriginal Culture and how valuable it really is to our identity as a nation.”

“Our sense of belonging to the land is something that is intrinsically embedded into our being, and as First Nations people we are responsible for sharing the truth of our history.”

Artist Bio – Frances Belle Parker is a proud Yaegl woman, mother and artist, from Maclean, New South Wales. She is deeply inspired by her Mother’s land (Yaegl land) and the Island in the Clarence River that her Mother grew upon, Ulgundahi Island.
Frances came to prominence after winning the Blake Prize in 2000 making her the youngest ever winner and the first Indigenous recipient in the prize’s history.

Frances completed a BFA through UNSW, and a BVA (Honours) and a
Masters of Indigenous Studies (Wellbeing) both through Southern Cross
University.

Frances has been a practising artist for the last 20 years, undertaking art residencies in China and Andorra, exhibiting  nationally and internationally and working on Public Art Projects.
‘I am inspired by the Yaegl Landscape and those stories which were shared
with me and passed down from our old people, it is my responsibility to
document these stories and to map our landscape, in doing so I am making
a valuable resource for my children and all of the younger Yaegl mob.