Kalkadoon elder Ronnie Nemo has many family members, including great grandchildren, who live in the Yallambee reserve. 

Brilla Brilla Community Centre coordinator Violet Dargan said in a speech at the event; “one of our elders passed away last year. I feel his spirit’s here today. 

“He was always telling me old stories and certainly had me making him lots of tea.” 

Mr Nemo was a musician and Mrs Dargan recalled that he used to play in front of the civic centre. In earlier years she enjoyed taking her children to listen to his music while doing late night Thursday shopping. 

It is the second year that the Back to Yallambee fun day has been held. After the inaugural event last year Mr Nemo praised the occasion and said another one had to be held in 2017, Mrs Dargan recalled. 

The minute’s silence was made between speech making from Mrs Dargan, Kalkadoon elder Ron Page, Mount Isa deputy mayor Phil Barwick and Mount Isa Police Station’s officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Renee Hanrahan. The Senior Sergeant had joined the children in dancing and painting, and urged everyone not to tease her art depicting a cassowary.

She said the event reflected the networks and support base in the community. “It’s a fantastic reminder that any path you’re following, you’re not doing it alone.” 

The Sundowners dance troupe then performed eight songs for attendees. The first song was ‘Jalama’ which for the Kalkadoon means ‘welcome’. They were led by songman Ron Guivarra. 

Dancer Sheree Blackley said the dance troupe including children as young as three. Her children were part of the troupe including six-year-old son Mathias. 

She felt “proud” joining her family in connecting with their culture. 

“It gives us a good base in understanding who we are. It gives us pride and confidence.” 

Coordinator Mrs Dargan thanked the community services involved for their support. “You have made my heart glad,” she told them in a group email. 

“Please accept my sincere appreciation for the support you have shown me and North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services.” 

She sought photographs to compile a video of the event for the centre’s archives.