Vanessa Hall  
Editor  

WITH the sun shining, Coolum’s Jack Morgan Park provided the backdrop for a celebration of young First Nations talent on Sunday, August 23, with the GATHAA Next Gen Market & Youth Showcase taking centre stage.

The event brought together 10 young First Nations stallholders aged between eight and 23, along with musicians, artists, mentors and families for a day focused on giving young entrepreneurs a place to showcase their wares.

For some of the young entrepreneurs, it was their first time running a market stall, selling products they had created themselves and learning what it takes to run a small business.

Event manager Carissa Coorey said the aim was to put young First Nations people front and centre and give them an opportunity to build confidence and skills.

“The event was actually our second GATHAA Next Gen Market & Youth Showcase, and the whole purpose was to put our young First Nations people front and centre,” Carissa said.

The event also had a strong focus on music, with young performers taking to the stage throughout the day.

One of the highlights came before the music even started, when young musicians who had not necessarily met before came together that morning to rehearse and work on a collaborative performance.

They were supported by established artists and mentors, including acclaimed First Nations musician Fred Leone, who recently took out Artist of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards with his cousin Birdz.

The mentoring program is designed to run alongside the markets, giving young people access to artists, entrepreneurs and other experienced people who can share their knowledge and help them develop their skills.

Coolum proved a great choice for the showcase, with the combination of the Civic Centre and Jack Morgan Park providing both indoor and outdoor event options.

“Everyone was so welcoming, and it was beautiful to see new faces – it was nice to be embraced by the community,” Carissa said.

The GATHAA Next Gen Market & Youth Showcase is now looking at providing regular opportunities for young people to perform, sell their creations, facilitate activities and continue learning with a Next Gen store at the monthly GATHAA markets.

Next market – ‘Healing with Country’  
The GATHAA First Nations Markets travel around the Sunshine Coast each month, with the next market being held on September 12 at the Pomona Community House.

“We are inviting the community to experience a morning of First Nations culture, knowledge, creativity, bushfood and music on Kabi Kabi Country.”

The special market will feature First Nations artists, makers and bushfood producers alongside a program exploring the relationships between Country, culture, food and wellbeing.

“Gamilaraay Yinarr and cultural knowledge holder Aunty Rosie will lead a gentle medicinal plant experience incorporating native tea, yarning, plant knowledge and healing vibrations of the didge,” Carissa said.

“Aunty Dale Chapman will present a native superfood cooking demonstration, sharing the nutritional benefits of Australian native ingredients while preparing a colourful bushfood Buddha bowl.”

The program will also include live music, a Fullas’ Didge Circle and a free Jarjums Creative Space for children.

The free event will be another chance for locals to enjoy a day out, discover new First Nations artists and makers, learn, and support their creative futures and businesses.