During NAIDOC week each year, First Nations surfers and their families gather on Gumbaynggirr Country (Coffs Harbour, NSW) to take part in some healthy competition while promoting culture, connection and wellbeing.
This is the Naru Surf Gathering, the Naru Indigenous Corporation’s annual surfing event. Since 2017, the popular event has brought hundreds of people to saltwater Country in honour of Eric Mercy.
Eric dedicated many years to supporting First Nations young people on the mid-north coast of NSW. He’s a local surfing legend who competed at the international level. The first year of the event marked 20 years since Eric’s passing.
Connecting with ocean and each other for better mental health
The event encourages people to immerse in saltwater Country, and to be with culture and each other. Athletes battle the swell to show their strengths on the surfboard. On shore, it’s a celebration of strong connections with ocean and each other, with ceremony an important part of the event. It’s a chance to get together with old friends and make new ones.
‘It’s great to have that regularity and catchups and to bring culture into it as well,’ says community member and surfer, Clark Webb.
‘We’re mixing a healthy, contemporary lifestyle with culture and reconnecting with our gaagal – our ocean.’
‘It’s great to see other Indigenous people jumping on surf boards and getting involved with surfing,’ adds surfing star, Otis Carey.
‘Some of the young ones are getting sponsored and doing well in the comps. It’s great to see.’
The event centres on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Surfing promotes health and wellbeing, while the event is a culturally safe space for mental health messages and discussions.
‘Surfing is such an important vehicle for our mob – strength, resilience and connection to culture and connection to ocean as well. It’s a good pathway and it’s a good lifestyle for our kids that they can have over their lives,’ reflects participant Scott Winch.
‘It’s such a special feeling being out on the water and seeing a whole bunch of other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander faces. Just instilling in them a sense of pride within themselves and that there is space for us as Indigenous people in the lineup,’ adds Cass McKenzie.
Raising funds for mental health programs
As a registered charity, the Naru Indigenous Corporation Board relies on donations to continue their important programs for the community. Entry to the Naru Surf Gathering is by donation and all proceeds go to First Nations mental health initiatives.
Since it began in 2017, the event has raised more than $10,000 for initiatives across the country, including their own Naru Goori Groms program.
‘The ocean is a source of strength, joy, and healing. It’s significant for culture and lifestyle,’ says Naru Surf Gathering organiser and Eric Mercy’s daughter, Amber Hamer.
‘It keeps us healthy and strong in our bodies and minds. The ocean knowledge, surf skills, first aid and lifesaving training that Naru Indigenous Corporation delivers to both youth and adults builds capability and resilience to support people to better manage ongoing and difficult situations.
‘We have proudly raised funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention as a part of our gathering, while sharing the gift of surfing with more than 300 Indigenous young people in the last 12 months.’
The decision to become a charity was driven the services and support already being offered by Naru Indigenous Corporation. Becoming a registered charity increased the organisation’s potential to support the community.
The structure is working under the leadership of passionate directors with diverse strengths and abilities. It’s a busy team who volunteer their time to a shared focus on health and wellbeing for the whole community.
Their strong governance and community dedication were recently recognised beyond their community with an Indigenous Community Celebration Award in 2021 and a finalist position in Reconciliation Australia’s Indigenous Governance Awards in 2022.
Promoting holistic mental health care
Both Naru Goori Groms and the Naru Surf Gathering celebrate saltwater culture and connect the community through the sport of surfing. They’re actively promoting mental health and healthy bodies while preventing harm.
They’ve made a significant contribution to helping First Nations people in the region gain confidence in and out of the water, and enjoy the benefits of wide open ocean and space.
‘We’re very proud of the space we’ve created for young people, families and community within our region and from around the country,' says Amber.
Through their saltwater programs and donating to mental health and suicide awareness, the Naru Indigenous Corporation is giving back to the community and providing much-needed support to First Nations people and families.