The flag is the first sovereign flag design representing the region and the Taungurung people in Victoria.
Celebrated from July 4 to 11 this year, the NAIDOC Week theme is Heal Country and commemorating the week is important to Strathbogie Shire Council.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said the flag raising ceremony was a simple gesture Council could take to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage.
“We will invite our local Taungurung people to the ceremony which will also include a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country and a free screening for ‘My Name is Gulilil’,” Cr Raeburn said.
“It is important for Council to take this opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, numbers for this event are limited and those who wish to attend must register via TryBooking.
The celebration comes at a time Strathbogie Shire Council is developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Taungurung people.
“Our aim is to protect our region’s important cultural heritage,” Cr Raeburn said.
“Developing a MoU is essential to strengthening the relationship with our First Nations peoples and the Traditional Owners of Taungurung Country.
“An MoU will govern the interactions between Council and the Taungurung Land and Waters Council and build practical and mutually respectful and beneficial connections.”
Council is currently seeking the community’s input into the principles of the MoU as well as a new Acknowledgement to Country for Council to use at all official meetings and events and in Council documents.
To provide feedback visit share.strathbogie.vic.gov.au
The flag raising ceremony will be held on Tuesday July 6 from 10am outdoors at Strathbogie Shire Council on the corner of Bury and Binney Streets, Euroa followed by a 11.30am movie screening at the Euroa Community Cinema, Bury St, Euroa. Bookings are essential via https://www.trybooking.com/BSFUD If you wish to attend both the ceremony and the movie, you must book tickets for both events.
