Community
30 June, 2023
NAIDOC Week celebrations
THE history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be celebrated during NAIDOC Week activities.
Moyne Shire Council will support events across the shire in line with the week’s theme ‘For Our Elders’ which explores the importance of elders as cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers and advocates.
Mayor Karen Foster said it was important for council to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous culture of the region.
“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth,” she said.
“We are proud to present these opportunities for our community to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Free local activities have been planned for several locations across the shire. A special community event will be held at Port Fairy’s Reardon Theatre on Monday, July 3 from 2.30pm-3.30pm.
This will begin with a ‘welcome to country’ ceremony followed by Ngakee Wanga Toompa (look, listen, feel) with Brett Clarke – a Gunditjmara/Kirrae Whurrong storyteller who will bring to life an ancient dreaming story delving into the themes of past, present and future. Afternoon tea will showcase native Indigenous ingredients from Worn Gundidj.
A free community event will also be held at the Tower Hill cultural centre on Saturday, July 8. Children’s art workshops will take place between 10am-11am (children 4-10 years) and 11am-12 noon (10+ years).
The workshops will be led by Tracy Roach, a proud Kirrae Whurrong and Bundjalung woman and artist.
As spaces will be limited for both sessions, bookings are essential and can be made at www.portfairywinterweekends.com.au Also on July 8 at Tower Hill, a ‘welcome to country’ and smoking ceremony will take place from 12.30pm-1pm and a Tower Hill cultural wildlife tour will run from 1pm-3pm (bookings preferred).
Council’s NAIDOC Week activities are funded through a grant from the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
