'Loud, proud, strong and deadly': NAIDOC Week celebrated

FIRST Nations people, City of Greater Bendigo representatives, Heathcote Health staff and community members gathered at the Barrack Reserve stadium to celebrate NAIDOC Week on Tuesday.

The event was hosted by Heathcote Health and the Heathcote Reconciliation Group.

Morning tea was provided by the City of Greater Bendigo Inclusive Communities (Reconciliation) Office.

Katie Christensen from the 2026 Bendigo NAIDOC Committee made the Acknowledgement of Country and shared thoughts from the committee.

Soul, rhythm and blues singer and Noongar woman Rhaedel Pickett performed. Photo: Sandra James.

“This year marks an incredible national milestone: 50 Years of Deadly,” she said.

“For the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee, NAIDOC is so much more than a single week on the calendar.

“It is connection. It is belonging. It is that undeniable, special energy that fills the air when our community comes together, loud, proud, strong and deadly.

“NAIDOC Week is Blak joy.

“It is the profound beauty of seeing our young people, Elders, families, artists, dancers, and community leaders seen, heard, and honoured for the deadly work they do every single day.

Heathcote Health CEO Jackie Kelly (right) presented Katie Christensen from Bendigo NAIDOC Committee with two plants, one to be planted at the Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative Garden and one be planted in the Heathcote Health front entrance garden. Photo: Sandra James.

“We remember the foundations our ancestors and Elders laid for us.

“NAIDOC was born from the fight for justice and recognition, led by our Elders and communities who refused to be silenced.”

Christensen said the progress celebrated in 2026 didn’t happen by accident.

“Our ancestors persevered. Their spirit was never broken. Our songlines and stories remained deeply embedded in Country,” she said.

First Nations Elders were invited to take some rare and native plants to commemorate the 50 Years of Deadly NAIDOC Week. Photo: Sandra James.

“NAIDOC is also an invitation, welcoming the wider community to walk alongside us in unity with shared respect.

“This invitation for unity extends across the Country.

“NAIDOC is a sacred time to honour the strength and leadership of First Nations peoples, reflecting on shared Indigenous connections and standing together proudly as allies committed to walking together in truth, justice and respect.”

The NAIDOC Week morning tea was attended by Bendigo NAIDOC Committee’s Katie Christensen, City of Greater Bendigo Inclusive Communities (Reconciliation) Office’s Fiona Machin, CEO Andrew Cooney, and mayor Thomas Prince, and Heathcote Health CEO Jackie Kelly. Photo: Sandra James.

Heathcote Health CEO Jackie Kelly announced the launch of the service’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

Copies are available on the Heathcote Health website and Reconciliation Australia website.

A proud Noongar woman from Western Australia who has called Bendigo and Dja Dja Wurrung Country home for the last four years, soul, rhythm and blues singer Rhaedel Pickett performed.

She has sung at First Nations events across Victoria, as well as council events and music festivals.