BADAC celebration day returns

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 at the Showgrounds.

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.

“It’s an opportunity to get together and celebrate our culture and connect with each other,” he said.

“The theme for NAIDOC this year is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! So, we’re supporting our community by making sure we’re still being heard and challenging the boundaries of reconciliation.

“But this is getting the whole community together, not just the Aboriginal community. It’s open to everyone, to celebrate where we are and how far we’ve come.”

As part of the day there’ll about 40 stalls from the Koorie Engagement Action Group and Cafs for attendees to see what those groups offer.

There’ll 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.

NAIDOC awards will also be given out to acknowledge the achievements of First Nations community members.

BADAC’s last community day was in 2019, and Mr Konoa said this year’s iteration is sure to be particularly emotional.

“For us the day brings us together even just to say hello, shake a hand, give someone a hug and let people know they’re still supported,” he said.

“This year is especially important because we haven’t been able to do this for two years, a lot of our mob have lost a bit of that connection.

“This allows them to get back into the community, to let them know that we’re still here, still around, and that we’ve still got their back.”

BADAC’s community day will be followed by an elder’s lunch on Friday, 8 July to celebrate senior First Nations people.