AMAZING OPPORTUNITY… Holy Family students Tyrece and Keanau Robinson-Towney (middle) with their uncles Daniel and Nagara Williams and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Opposition leader Peter Dutton at the opening of the 47th Federal Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra. (Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch)
Two young Parkes boys took centre stage in the welcome to country ceremony at the significant occasion of the opening of the 47th Federal Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday morning.
Tyrece (11) and Keanau (8) Robinson-Towney, who are known as the Dyagang Boys with their seven-year-old twin brothers, performed two dances and a smoking ceremony with their uncles Daniel and Nagara Williams from Canberra.
They were seated just off the stage in Parliament House for the welcome to country ceremony conducted by Aunty Matilda House and her son Paul, and then led the procession outside where they performed two dances, Speak the Truth and Brolgan Moth, to the Prime Minister and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“It was nerve wracking, but went really well,” said mum Jade of the big occasion that made her heart swell with pride. “I cried so much watching them.” She said the boys were besides themselves with excitement afterwards.” The event was live streamed, and they think they are famous now!”
They did steal the lime light with Aunty Matilda, who was the first Aboriginal woman to do a welcome to country at the Parliament House in 2008, who rugged the boys up in her traditional skins. Ministers and senators also took photos with them.
Jade said the twins were going to take part too, but during rehearsals on Sunday and Monday they were just too nervous.
It is still a bit unreal for Jade and Abel that their sons have come so far with their performances after Tyrese started playing his didgeridoo in public just over a year ago.