Ocean Grove begins NAIDOC Week

BARWON Coast has started NAIDOC Week with a smoking ceremony in Ocean Grove.

Wadawurrung woman and cultural strengthening general manager at Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Corrina Eccles said NAIDOC events were a celebration of culture.

“This event, like NAIDOC events around the Country, aims to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Culture.

“For us, it celebrates Wadawurrung People, our Country and Culture as the Traditional Custodians of our Country, Wadawurrung Country.”

Ms Eccles said the week was a time First Peoples ask everyone to show recognition and celebrate the longest living bloodlines, continuing cultural traditions, and ongoing resilience of First Peoples.

“As a Wadawurrung woman, it’s a time for me to celebrate my Ancestors before me, and the community around me, as well as my Family today.

“A time to reflect on those strong voices and advocacy of Elders, and respected community people that have paved the way for us to be loud, Blak and proud today.”

The NAIDOC Week theme this year is Keep the Fire Burning, Loud, Blak, and Proud.

“This event is an example of a meaningful collaboration with Barwon Coast walking beside us, listening to our aspirations for our Country,” Ms Eccles said.

“Aspirations to me are flames on a fire; let’s keep the fire burning together.

“I am spiritually grounded on Warri Dja [Sea Country], to stand and deeply listen to the sounds of the waves, and birds, as I conduct a ceremony, just like my Ancestors have done for thousands of generations.

“It fills my heart to see a large attendance, of all walks of life, and ages, standing silent, and respectfully, deeply listening to the ceremony – even the little ones.”

Barwon Coast chair Sandy Gatehouse, said it was an honour to live, work, and learn on Country, and help care for the coast Wadawurrung people have cared for so beautifully for thousands of generations.

“At Barwon Coast we respect and honour the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in particular Wadawurrung People, their Elders and Ancestors, who continue to stand tall and proud, despite the enduring pain and trauma experienced since colonisation,” she said.

Ms Gatehouse said Barwon Coast kept the fire burning by ensuring that coastal Country was protected for future generations.