NAIDOC Week 2021 marks a time to heal

Ararat Rural City Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong has released the following message for NAIDOC Week 2021. 

"As the nation celebrates NAIDOC Week, it is important that we reflect on this year’s theme Heal Country.

For our first Australians, the land and connection to Country has been forged over tens of thousands of years. 

The land is our source of food and inspiration. The story of how our original Australians learnt to live and prosper in this harsh and unforgiving continent, is the foundation of the collective Australian spirit of courage and resilience. 

By beginning the process of genuine reconciliation and forging new partnerships, we are all learning to look deeper and understand the stories that have been passed down for centuries. 

We are fortunate to have vast riches of local culture. Gariwerd features the most pristine rock art sites in Victoria; Lake Bolac is host to the iconic Eel Festival and has links to the Budj Bim Cultural landscape; and we are the home of Australian Rules Football, which was inspired by the traditional Marngrook game here in Moyston. 

To celebrate NAIDOC Week, there are some wonderful Indigenous artworks on display in our municipality. The Lake Bolac Information Centre is hosting the paintings of Sherry Johnstone, and Ararat Gallery TAMA is featuring the woven artwork of Tjunkaya Tapaya in its exhibition ‘Obsessed: Compelled to make’.

Ararat Library is once again showcasing the works of First Nations authors this NAIDOC Week. 

NAIDOC Week is also a great time to take a walk on Country to celebrate and enjoy the natural wonders around us. What we share together is something we all should take pride in.” 

Visit naidoc.org.au to discover more about #NAIDOC2021.