NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities.
RIAC joined in the celebrations with staff in different offices attending events local to them.
In Bendigo, a group of the RIAC team attended the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operatives (BDAC) NAIDOC Flag Raising and Awards Ceremony on June 30 on Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country.
The Mildura Team attended the Aboriginal Cultural Day to celebrate NAIDOC week at Langtree Mall on Lajti Latji Country. There were lots of family friendly activities open to all community members.
The Geelong team attended the Flag Raising and Smoking Ceremony on Wadawurrung country at Johnstone Park. The CEO and Board Members were presented with possum skin cloaks that had been cleansed in the smoke.
Staff from the Shepparton office attended the Flag raising at Rumbalara in Mooroopna on Yorta Yorta/Bangerang Country on Monday July 3.
Wednesday of that week saw staff from the Shepparton office and the Intake team attending NAIDOC Week celebrations in Seymour on Taungurung Country.
They joined in the NAIDOC March from Goranwarrabul House to Kings Park in Seymour. This was the first time the march has occurred for a number of years.
Staff from the Shepparton office also attended the Shepparton Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols against Family Violence Committee community BBQ for NAIDOC Week. The Police provided a great BBQ lunch.
On the Wednesday following NAIDOC week, Shepparton staff along with the Acting Operations Manager, attended the Chief Commissioners’ Victoria Police NAIDOC Awards Luncheon.
Pictured below: Chief Police Commissioner, Shane Patton; Aboriginal Justice, Uncle Larry Jackson; Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer and Shepparton Police Officer, Eric Egan.
This event provided an opportunity for organisations to celebrate in the richness and diversity of the Victorian Aboriginal community and strengthen and build on the existing relationships to enhance service delivery responses to community.