An official flag raising ceremony, an art exhibition, workshops and games are among the highlights of NAIDOC Week in Brimbank from 2-9 July 2023.
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme ‘For Our Elders’ recognises the important role and prominent place our Elders have played, and continue to play, in our communities and families.
Our Elders are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.
Our Elders guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.
Brimbank Mayor, Councillor Bruce Lancashire said “Our annual NAIDOC Week celebrations and activities recognise the unique and important place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have in our community.
“This year we’re hosting the Be Bold Blakout Art Exhibition in the Brimbank Gallery, Sunshine and I think you’ll be struck by the passion, inspiration and deep connection to the land displayed in the art works.
“There are also some fantastic activities for children at our libraries across the week,” said Cr Lancashire.
NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life and provides an opportunity to participate in activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Council is holding a range of no charge events that are open to all:
Traditional Aboriginal Games Session
- Monday 3 July,30-2.30pm – Keilor Library
These fun and physical games use First Nations language, history and tradition to teach valuable life lessons by building interpersonal and communications skills, and physical agility.
Decorate a Wooden Indigenous Animal
- Tuesday 4 July, 10.30-11.30am – Deer Park Library
- Thursday 6 July, 10.30-11.30am – St Albans Library
- Friday 7 July, 2-3pm – Sunshine Library
Children will also be able to explore their creativity through decorating wooden indigenous animals.
Be Bold Blakout Art Exhibition
- Exhibition Opening, Wednesday 5 July, 11.30am – Brimbank Gallery, Brimbank Community and Civic Centre
- Exhibition runs from 30 June-6 September, 9am-5pm – Brimbank Gallery, Brimbank Community and Civic Centre
A combination of traditional and contemporary techniques and imagery interpreted by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists and Youth based on the theme ‘For Our Elders’.
Aboriginal Art Workshop
- Wednesday 5 July, 3-4pm – Bowery Theatre and St Albans Community Centre
Join Brimbank Youth Services for this special aboriginal art workshop with Wanyara. Explore the use of art in culture, and for storytelling, and create your own art that tells your personal story.
Night projections
- The Sunshine Library projector is being turned on during NAIDOC Week and will screen above the ‘Dai Phat’ building on Hampshire Road, Sunshine and at Brimbank Projection Gallery outside the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre. The imagery results from a partnership between Council and Aunty Jeanie Mason and the Jinkigi Consultancy who have engaged local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists including students from the Koorie Homework Club and St Albans Secondary College.
- The Bennett Place windows in the Sunshine Library will display a new installation “The Wild Flowers of Kororoit Creek”. This is a collection of seven native wild flower images that have been taken along the creek by the Friends of Kororoit Creek volunteers and transformed into a large scale LED installation.
For more information, visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/naidoc
