City recognised for NAIDOC Week efforts

THE City of Greater Geelong has been recognised in the LGPro 2021 Awards for Excellence for its work in partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for last year’s NAIDOC Week events.

The Indigenous Community Partnership Initiative award, announced last week, celebrates an initiative or program that enriches the community and was implemented in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In delivering the 2020 NAIDOC Week program, the city partnered with 15 Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous organisations, including Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, The Torch, Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group, and Geelong Gallery among others.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said this was a great recognition that celebrated the strength of the partnerships in crafting the 2020 program.

“We are so proud to receive this accolade,” Cr Asher said. “The award recognises the innovative thinking and strength of the partnerships with the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous organisations ensuring NAIDOC Week could go ahead amidst challenging circumstances.”

Taking place from November 8-15 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the city’s 2020 NAIDOC week program included:

• A virtual tour of 20 significant locations on Wadawurrung Country developed with Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Corrina Eccles
• The annual projections at City Hall featuring artwork by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men on Wadawurrung Country, developed through The Torch and Department of Justice, and
• 44 banners flown around the region featuring the ‘Country and Connection 2019’ artwork by artist and Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Billy-Jay O’Toole.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Paul Davis welcomed the accolade.

“Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation was delighted to see the City of Greater Geelong win this award and partner with them in their 2020 NAIDOC Week program,” he said. “It is great to see a council that actually works closely with its local Traditional Owner group be recognised in this way.”

The theme for NAIDOC week in 2020 was ‘Always was, Always will be’, which in Wadawurrung language is translated to ‘Yannan-ik Yannan-iyu’.