The City of Greater Bendigo will celebrate NAIDOC Week 2022 with a Flag Raising Ceremony at 10am on Monday July 4 that will feature a Dja Dja Wurrung Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Community members are invited to attend in person or watch online via the City’s Facebook page.
The City is also pleased to present the Knuldoorong Art Exhibition, a showcase of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists administered by the organisation’s First Nations Arts Officer, Janet Bromley.
The exhibition invites the community to view a range of artwork including painting, weaving, jewellery, prints and photography at Dudley House on View Street from July 1 to 15. Entry is free and art works in the exhibition are for sale. Knuldoorong will be officially launched on Thursday June 30 at 6pm.
The Capital will host STARDUST and The MISSION (double bill) on Wednesday July 13 at 7.30pm. STARDUST tells the story of bandleader and trumpet player, Col Brain, as told through the eyes of his grandson, award-winning ABC presenter and performer Joel Carnegie. The MISSION follows the journey of “Fighting Gunditjmara” man, Allan McDonald, one of the first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist for war, performed by acclaimed Gunditjmara actor Tom Molyneux. This event is also proudly supported by the City.
Manager Community Partnerships Andie West said NAIDOC Week ran from July 3 to 10 and was a celebration of history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“This year there is a great range of local events taking place to mark NAIDOC Week and the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee has produced another terrific program, which is available on the City’s website and the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Facebook page,” Ms West said.
“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.
“The NAIDOC Week theme for 2022 is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties or calling out racism-we must do it together.
“NAIDOC 2022 invites Australia to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of our national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.”
Some events taking place during the week include:
- Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative Flag Raising and Smoking Ceremony at 119 Prouses Road, North Bendigo on Friday July 1 at 11am
- Wayapa Wurruk, Natures Footsteps Workshop on Thursday June 30 and Friday July 15. One-hour workshop at 10.30am at Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre, Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat. All ages welcome and free
- Welcome Baby to Country on Tuesday July 5 (registrations required) at Star Cinema Town Hall, Peg Leg Road, Eaglehawk commencing at 2pm
- Aboriginal Evening Storytime with Ron Murray and Sarah James at the Bendigo Library on Tuesday July 5, 6pm to 7pm,
- BDAC NAIDOC Family Day on Wednesday July 6 at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Bendigo Showgrounds from 10.30am to 2.30pm
- Trivia Night at the Piano Bar with Wartatjarrang Lan on Thursday July 7 at 7pm, $10 per person
- St John of God Lunch and Art Exhibition in the foyer of St John of God Hospital on Friday July 8 at 11.30am
- FC Eaglehawk V Strathdale NAIDOC soccer match at Truscott Reserve. Free event, Saturday July 9 at 6pm
To view the NAIDOC Week program, visit www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/NAIDOCWeek2022
