As well as being an incredible fundraising event for Youth Focus, the Hawaiian Ride for Youth was also an important celebration of Country.
The ride began in Albany, with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country from Menang Cultural Custodian Larry Blight, who also presented the riders with three message sticks.
The three message sticks were carried along the 700km journey – one for each peloton – connecting the riders to the land on which they were travelling. The riders took these precious message sticks as they journeyed across Country, passing them on to a new rider each day.
On the final day of the ride, it was a privilege to see our only Aboriginal rider, Adam Cocky, hand the three message sticks on to Aboriginal Elder Barry McGuire, who we were truly honoured to have at our Welcome Home Ceremony.