A FULL list of Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative NAIDOC Week events are set to return for the first time since 2019, and the open day at the Ballarat Showgrounds is focus for celebrations.<\/p>\n
Following a flag raising ceremony on Monday, 4 July, the organisation will host their annual community day on Wednesday, 6 July at the Showgrounds.<\/p>\n
BADAC have been running their open day for over two decades, and chief operating officer Jon Kanoa said the event is about acknowledging First Nations communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to get together and celebrate our culture and connect with each other,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe theme for NAIDOC this year is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! So, we\u2019re supporting our community by making sure we\u2019re still being heard and challenging the boundaries of reconciliation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is getting the whole community together, not just the Aboriginal community. It\u2019s open to everyone, to celebrate where we are and how far we\u2019ve come.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the day there\u2019ll about 40 stalls from the Koorie Engagement Action Group and Cafs for attendees to see what those groups offer.<\/p>\n
There\u2019ll also be activities like basket weaving and didgeridoo playing along with face painting and jumping castles and live entertainment with performances by the Indigenous Hip Hop Projects and local artists.<\/p>\n
NAIDOC awards will also be given out to acknowledge the achievements of First Nations community members.<\/p>\n
BADAC\u2019s last community day was in 2019, and Mr Konoa said this year\u2019s iteration is sure to be particularly emotional.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us the day brings us together even just to say hello, shake a hand, give someone a hug and let people know they\u2019re still supported,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year is especially important because we haven\u2019t been able to do this for two years, a lot of our mob have lost a bit of that connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis allows them to get back into the community, to let them know that we\u2019re still here, still around, and that we\u2019ve still got their back.\u201d<\/p>\n
BADAC\u2019s community day will be followed by an elder\u2019s lunch on Friday, 8 July to celebrate senior First Nations people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A FULL list of Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative NAIDOC Week events are set to return for the first time since 2019, and the open day at the Ballarat Showgrounds is focus for celebrations. Following a flag raising ceremony on Monday, 4 July, the organisation will host their annual community day on Wednesday, 6 July […]<\/p>\n