NAIDOC week: celebrating Aboriginal history, culture and achievements

Published on 21 June 2018

Council is encouraging residents to discover the stories and songs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through a number of events during this years’ NAIDOC week celebrations.

NAIDOC Week, being held from 8 to 15 July, is an annual nationwide celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

As part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, Council, in partnership with the Macedon Ranges Reconciliation Group, is presenting the following three events:  

Audiences are being given an insight into Aboriginal stories of creation, family and Country through a performance by The Djirri Djirri Dance Group on Saturday 14 July at 2.30pm at Barcham Theatre, Gisborne Secondary College.   

The Djirri Djirri Dance Group, which is the Wurundjeri name for Willy Wagtail, present a contemporary interpretation of Wurundjeri culture with the essence of traditional ceremony in their works.    

This family-friendly performance will feature five dances, with dancers providing cultural explanations for each work.  

The inspiring documentary, The Song Keepers will be screened at 3.30pm, following The Djirri Djirri Dance Group performance.  

The film follows the story of an Aboriginal women’s choir and their charismatic musical director Morris Stuart, as they embark on an historical tour of Germany, singing the baroque Lutheran hymns brought to the choir’s great grandparents by German missionaries, in their own Western Arrarnta and Pitjantjatjara languages.  

Entry is by gold coin donation, and residents can come to one or both events.  

An opportunity to gain an insight into the experiences of the Dja Dja Wurrung people is being provided on Friday 13 July, as Jaara Jaara (Dja Dja Wurrung) Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson shares stories passed down by his ancestors with Dr Mark Halloran.  

The event, being held at Malmsbury Town Hall from 6.30pm, also contains a Q&A section, where audience members are invited to ask questions about the history and culture of the Jaara Jaara people.  

Entry is by gold coin donation.  

Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson said there was a variety of events on offer, giving residents an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.  

“These events being held to mark NAIDOC week actively promote reconciliation, and encourage reflection.   “The Macedon Ranges Shire is on the country of three traditional owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri peoples.  

“Council prides itself on working closely with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to care and maintain Country, and this year Council has committed to support the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan, which will further strength our relationship with Traditional Owners”.  

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.  

For more information on NAIDOC Week events, see: Events or call (03) 5422 0333.