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National

Mornington Island's predominantly Indigenous community adopts Australia Day to 'move forward as one'

Mayor Kyle Yanner (left) with fellow council worker and Mornington Island mum Kim Teillet-Meunier with son Vincent. (Supplied: Mornington Shire Council)

Surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, on the land of the Lardil people, lies the remote community of Mornington Island, and today its residents make history.

For the first time, the predominantly Indigenous community is celebrating Australia Day as local leaders seek to reinvent a date that carries a painful past for their people.

"In the past there's always been conflict over this certain day," said Mornington Shire Council Mayor and Ganggalidda and Lardil man Kyle Yanner.

"Some people come to it with sadness and other people come to it to celebrate the beautiful country we live in.

"It's always been an uneasy day. We've always been unsure, and not everyone's on the same track."

Mornington Island has a population of about 1,200 people, according to Census data. (Supplied: Antoinette Raffaut)

Today, local leaders are bringing together residents of all backgrounds on the island to celebrate the community's cultural diversity.

"We've got Germans, Maoris, Kiwis, South Africans, non-Indigenous Australians," Cr Yanner said.

"We're having spear-throwing competitions, egg and spoon races, we're feasting on Maori and PNG foods, Aboriginal Kup Murris, and of course we'll have a sausage sizzle."

Thong-throwing competitions, along with traditional dancing and music would also make the agenda, he said.

"Yes, this is a mourning day for us, but it's time for us to move forward.

"But we will never forget. If you forget your past you're doomed to repeat your future. So it's not about forgetting, it's about moving forward."

The idea has garnered strong support from the community, with residents pitching in to make the day come to life.

"Everyone is excited. We've never done this and even looking forward to it. It's exciting to see where it goes," Cr Yanner said.

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