Matthew Weegberg, 23: Refrigeration mechanic and didgeridoo player in Birri-on Lakidjeka dance group, Lalor.
Sorry Day is a big family occasion for us. It’s a chance to recognise what’s happened in the past and recognise the apology. It means a lot to my mum, because she’s part of the Stolen Generations. I was aware of that from a pretty young age. She was taken away from NSW and put in a home in Kew with two of her sisters and a little brother. She was six then and she didn’t see her mum again until she was 18. She didn’t even know then what Aboriginal was.
On Sorry Day, I’ll be with my mum and my family. I’ve got four brothers and a sister. We’re always together. I’ll be playing the didge. Mum really wants me to do it. I’ve been playing the didge since I was four with our traditional family dance group. I played at the 2009 AFL Dreamtime game at the ‘G.
The hardest thing about the didge is the circular breathing. Once you learn that, though, you’re sweet. I like making up new tunes and making them sound traditional. But I also like making modern sounds, too. Growing up Aboriginal, I always had a sense of my identity. I’m pretty proud of my culture, my people and my community. Growing up Aboriginal’s pretty cool.
Weegberg will be performing at Whittlesea Council’s Sorry Day commemorations at 10am on Friday, May 25, at the Great Hall, council offices, Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.
