Celebrating NAIDOC Week in Baw Baw Shire

Published on 21 June 2023

From basketball to basket weaving, community members are invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week in Baw Baw Shire with a deadly program of events, exhibitions and workshops delivered by and with local Elders.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday) to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and to participate in celebrations of the oldest continuous live cultures on earth.

“NAIDOC week is very special to the Aboriginal people and the community as a whole,” says Kurnai Elder Cheryl Drayton. “This is an opportunity to create small projects that will enhance our communities’ knowledge, provide the chance for our people to have a go at their traditional activities and further preserve our cultural heritage.”

In Baw Baw, people can celebrate NAIDOC Week by taking part in a variety of free and low-cost activities and events delivered by Kurnai Nations and Baw Baw Shire Council.

On Monday 3 July, all community members are invited to join Council in an official NAIDOC Week opening ceremony from 9.00 am to 10.30am in the West Gippsland Arts Centre forecourt.

The event will feature a flag raising, smoking ceremony and welcome to Country, with free coffee and toasties by Coffee Vibes and music by DJ Nige.

The opening ceremony will be followed by a Deadly Hoops basketball game and activities from 11.00am at Drouin’s Bellbird Park Stadium. There will be a basketball clinic from 11.00am to 12.30pm, a community match from 12.50pm to 1.30pm and a BBQ lunch and yarning from 1.30pm to 3pm. No registrations are required, all are welcome.

Later in the week, Kurnai Nations will host a variety of Indigenous exhibitions and creative workshops at West Gippsland Arts Centre.

Running from Thursday 6 July through Sunday 9 July, there will be basket weaving, possum skin burning, dillybag making, wood burning, clapping sticks, and sketching and painting sessions – all run by local Kurnai Nation elders.

There will also be a performance by The Merindas (tickets required: bit.ly/the-merindas-wgac), featuring Ballargong Whadjuk and Nyoongar woman Kristel Kickett and Candice Lorrae of Jawoyn and Thursday Island heritage.

“Celebrating our elders is the theme this year and this opportunity is allowing our elders to come together to support the community in celebration and share their knowledge in traditional activities,” says Ms Drayton. “This provides us an opportunity to develop a collection, tell our stories and feel proud.”

For specific workshop details, times and bookings, please visit https://sales.wgac.com.au.

Each workshop will be capped at 15 participants, so bookings are essential.

“NAIDOC week serves as a powerful reminder of the richness, resilience, and enduring heritage of our First Nations people,” says Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Annemarie McCabe. “Baw Baw Shire Council is pleased to work with and support Kurnai Nations to deliver a program of NAIDOC Week events to bring people together, to listen, learn, and celebrate the vibrant cultures, stories, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

For more information about NAIDOC Week, visit www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/NAIDOC.