The City of Greater Bendigo will kick off celebrations for NAIDOC Week 2023 with a Flag Raising Ceremony featuring a Dja Dja Wurrung Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 10am, Monday July 3 in the Bendigo Library Gardens and everyone is welcome to attend.
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Director Healthy Communities and Environments Andie West said this year there is a great range of local events taking place to mark NAIDOC Week and the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee has produced a wonderful program of events which is available on the City’s website and the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Facebook page.
“NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Ms West said.
“It is also a great opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.
“This year’s NAIDOC Week theme for 2023 is for Our Elders. The theme celebrates the role Elders have played and continue to play as cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and loved ones.”
Some events taking place during the week include:
- City of Greater Bendigo Flag Raising and Civic Reception 10am – 12pm Monday July 3, at Bendigo Library Gardens and Town Hall – official launch of the Bendigo NAIDOC Week celebrations.
- Knuldoorong Art Exhibition, Dudley House, View Street 11am to 4pm daily until Sunday July 9. This exhibition showcases First Nations artists living in the Greater Bendigo region or with strong connections to the area.
- For Our Elders ‘Trailblazers, Knowledge Holders, Truth Tellers’ projections at Trades Hall, View Street (Park side) 7.00pm to 8.00pm Monday July 3
- Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative NAIDOC Family Day, Wednesday July 5, Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road Bendigo
- Off The Wall Wearable Art Exhibition, Exhibit B, Fountain Court, Mitchell Street, Bendigo
View the full NAIDOC Week program at
https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/About/Document-Library/naidoc-2023-brochure-pdf
