The elderly population of Bagot Community were the guests of honour at a traditional ‘cook up’ held yesterday as a part of Seniors Week.
The event, a joint initiative by Charles Darwin University, Danila Dilba Health Service, Kokoda and Larrakia Nation, was attended by more than 80 Bagot Community seniors.
Traditional cuisine on the menu included kangaroo tails, whistle duck, magpie geese, wallabies, barramundi, crocodile sausages and yams, all cooked traditionally over piping hot coals.
Head chef and celebrated CDU cooking identity, Steve ‘The Walkabout Chef’ Sunk said the day was an appreciation of Indigenous seniors who have helped shape a community they’ve long loved and shared.
“What we’ve got here is a whole range of traditional tucker cooked in a traditional way just as the old folks like it,” he said.
“Today is a great example of a number of proactive organisations coming together to lift the spirits of Bagot Community to share a feed and a yarn.”
22 year-old Larrakia Nation Ranger, Keith Sailor said he was more than happy to brave the coals for the cause.
“The elderly people around here are the ones who taught and shared their knowledge with me when I was little so I’m happy to help out and put on a feed for them,” he said.
The afternoon also had a surprise guest with acclaimed Indigenous musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist, Jimmy Little popping down to play a few of his favourites.
Also in attendance was Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr Tom Pauling.
Dubbed “The Walkabout Chef” for his 16 years spent teaching cooking to Aboriginal women and young people in remote communities, Mr Sunk recently received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to Indigenous communities.