Vic: Aboriginal ceremony to bless Melbourne millennium bash

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-1999
Vic: Aboriginal ceremony to bless Melbourne millennium bash

MELBOURNE, Dec 31 AAP - Aboriginal leaders will perform a traditional ceremony in Melbourne's
Yarra precinct to give an ancient blessing to tonight's Millennium festivities.

The smoking ceremony by members of the Wurundjeri (pron: WUH-run-jerry), Melbourne's
traditional inhabitants will be performed about noon.

"Branches of eucalypt gum leaves placed on the fire will create smoke which will cleanse
the area, renew the spirit and create and celebrate a new beginning and a new time," organisers
said.

Melbourne is holding its biggest fireworks display to be watched by an expected crowd
of 500,000 revellers who will take advantage of free public transport to get into town.

AAP gf/bdm

KEYWORD: EVE VIC ABORIGINAL

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