NAIDOC Week moves to November

NAIDOC 2020 celebrations due to take place across the region this week have been postponed until November.
Following the lead of the NAIDOC National Committee, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will instead aim to host local events from November 8-15.
Wathaurong CEO Lisa Briggs said the postponement decision was made in the interest of “the health and safety of our communities” due to health concerns and restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.
A flag raising ceremony was streamed live on Wathaurong’s Facebook page on Monday to mark what would have been the beginning of NAIDOC celebrations in Geelong,
“NAIDOC Week is an important celebration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Briggs said.
“The health and safety of our community comes first and we hope that in November we will be able to celebrate together.”
NAIDOC Week recognises and celebrates that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 65,000 years.
This year’s theme is “Always Was, Always Will Be”.
Ms Briggs said it was hoped all celebrations scheduled to take place July would be able to go ahead successfully in November.
Those activities include a community lunch, kid’s day out, a Koori Kids Got Talent event, the announcement of community award recipients and the annual NAIDOC
ball.