ALL are invited to a NAIDOC Week celebration next Tuesday 7 July hosted by Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee, Heathcote Reconciliation Group, Heathcote Health and the City of Greater Bendigo.<\/p>\n
The event will be held in the Oval Room at Barrack Reserve Stadium and will feature a performance by singer-songwriter Rhaedel Pickett.<\/p>\n
NAIDOC Week runs from 5 to 12 July, with the theme 50 Years of Deadly to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and achievements.<\/p>\n
“Fifty Years of Deadly is pride, joy, culture, belonging and reminds us who we are, where we come from, and what is possible when community leads the way,” said Sue Tuitupou, cultural capabilities facilitator at La Trobe University Bendigo.<\/p>\n
“NAIDOC is more than a week of celebration.<\/p>\n
“It is connection and belonging when people come together loud, proud, strong and deadly.<\/p>\n
“This year, as we honour 50 Years of Deadly, members for the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee have been reflecting on what NAIDOC means to us.<\/p>\n
“Each of us brings different memories, stories and connections, but at the heart of it all is family, culture, belonging and the joy of seeing our people celebrated.<\/p>\n
“It is that special energy that comes when community gathers and our people are seen, heard and honoured.<\/p>\n
“It is a time when our young people, Elders, families, artists, dancers, storytellers, community workers and leaders are recognised for the deadly work they do every day.”<\/p>\n
Tuitupou said that for some members, NAIDOC brings back memories of growing up around community.<\/p>\n
“Parents, Aunties, Uncles and community members gathered in lounge rooms and around kitchen tables, planning, yarning, laughing and making things happen over endless cups of hot tea,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Gatherings were full of cousins, banter and belonging.<\/p>\n
“As children, we knew we were surrounded by people who loved us.<\/p>\n
“NAIDOC welcomes the wider community to walk alongside us in unity with shared respect.<\/p>\n
“The Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee logo, with two hands, one black and one white reflects that spirit of coming together, good ways.<\/p>\n
“It is a time to honour the strength, culture and leadership of First Nations peoples, reflecting on our shared Indigenous connections and standing proudly as an ally committed to walking together in truth and respect.”<\/p>\n
The celebration will run from 10.30am to noon.<\/p>\n
Free morning tea will be provided.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ALL are invited to a NAIDOC Week celebration next Tuesday 7 July hosted by Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee, Heathcote Reconciliation Group, Heathcote Health and the City of Greater Bendigo. The event will be held in the Oval Room at Barrack Reserve Stadium and will feature a performance by singer-songwriter Rhaedel Pickett. NAIDOC Week runs from […]<\/p>\n