CORROBOREE FOR LIFE, HAKA FOR LIFE SUPPORT UKRAINE

Photo Source: WA Museum

Corroboree for Life (CFL) is a movement that was founded in Perth to support men’s mental health alongside Haka for Life.

These days CFL perform cultural dance to show their support for important issues and projects.

The support for Ukraine is coming in from every corner of the globe. Corroboree for Life showed their support by performing alongside Haka for Life outside a Ukrainian Church in Perth over the weekend.

Corroboree for Life founder Ash Penfold said he was approached by a Ukrainian friend who said it would mean a lot that indigenous people from both Australia and New Zealand show their support.

“[A friend] called me 24 hours before that Gathering was happening and he jumped on the phone and said ‘hey brother is there any chance that you can stand with me the review Ukrainian Community Gathering of the following day,’ and he said to me ‘it would mean the absolute world to me now’. My friend is someone that has done good for a lot of our community in particular and it was a no-brainer for me to support him.”

Ukrainian people were told there would be a performance after the service and walked outside to be met with support from both the Corroboree for Life and the Haka for Life performers.

Mr. Penfold said while he was dancing he looked around and saw people crying and knew that it meant a lot that they were there showing their solidarity and support.

“I knew we were doing the right thing and you know in times like these we come together and that was my intention or our intention of dancing.”