Community came together in Barmah for Dharnya Day 2026, marking the official reopening of the Dharnya Centre during NAIDOC Week.
After years of hard work and months of planning, Dharnya Day marked an important new chapter for the Centre and the Yorta Yorta community. Elders, community members, families and visitors came together for a day of culture, music and celebration, including Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, dance performances, live music, speeches, flag raising and the official ribbon cutting.
Dharnya Day was held during NAIDOC Week 2026, with this year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marking five decades of NAIDOC as a national movement. The theme honours the Elders, leaders, organisers, artists and communities who have carried NAIDOC forward, while celebrating the strength, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
There was even a memorable moment as the ribbon was officially cut, when the clouds parted and blue sky appeared over Dharnya – a fitting moment for the beginning of a new chapter for this special place.
Thank you to everyone who travelled near and far, performed, volunteered, hosted a stall, helped behind the scenes or simply came along to be part of the day.
Take a look back at some of the moments from Dharnya Day 2026 below.
Visit Dharnya
Experience Yorta Yorta culture, stories and Country at the Dharnya Centre in Barmah.
