November NAIDOC celebrations set for Redlands Coast

Redland City Council is set to celebrate NAIDOC Week (8-15 November) with free arts and educational activities across Redlands Coast.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said NAIDOC Week, traditionally celebrated in July and postponed due to COVID-19, held extra significance this year as an important opportunity to connect and celebrate as a community.

“After a challenging year, it is wonderful that we are now able to offer in-person and online NAIDOC Week activities, with Council offering a range of options to suit all ages,” Cr Williams said.

“Our library team has some exciting initiatives, including a specially commissioned cultural talk with a Quandamooka man Matthew Burns, which will be available on the Redland Libraries Facebook page from 6pm on Monday 9 November.

“Anyone who has been fortunate enough to hear Matthew talk will know it is a special experience, and in this beautiful video he again shares fascinating insights to the traditions, lore and stories of the Quandamooka People.

“At Capalaba Library on Thursday 12 November from 9.30-10am, youngsters (0-5) and their parents can also join talented performer Moojidi (Kargun Fogarty) for a morning of dance, singing, didgeridoo and language.

“We end the week of celebrations with a free NAIDOC showcase at Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) on Sunday 15 November from 1-4.30pm, headlined by singer/songwriter, guitarist and didgeridoo player Joe Geia.

“People can enjoy a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country and family-friendly demonstrations and activities, including Indigenous dance workshops and face painting, a cultural talk and artefacts display, and a bush tucker food demonstration and tasting.”

Redland Art Gallery also recently unveiled four new temporary public art banners in celebration of NAIDOC 2020, featuring stunning pieces from the Redland Art Gallery Collection by Quandamooka artists Damien Abberdan, Sonja Carmichael, Joshua Walker and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.

“These can be seen on the side wall of our Cleveland Administration Building (opposite the library), Redland Performing Arts Centre and Harold Walker Jetty in Dunwich (Goompi),” Cr Williams said.

“Due to social distancing requirements our numbers at some activities are restricted, so I encourage people to jump on to Council’s website for all the event details and to book in where necessary.”

For more information head to https://www.redland.qld.gov.au/NAIDOC