Geelong buildings celebrate NAIDOC Week

ACROSS Geelong, 18 prominent buildings in Greater Geelong will feature 40 pictures of Aboriginal women as part of celebrations for this year’s NAIDOC Week, which begins on Sunday.

The women featured were all nominated by young Aboriginal men and women from the Koorie Youth Group, supported by local Aboriginal organisation Strong Brother Strong Sister.

Their stories mark this year’s NAIDOC theme, “Because of her, we can!”.

Installation of the photographs started last week on landmarks such as City Hall, the Carousel, Civic car park, Geelong Performing Arts Centre and University Hospital.

The photographs were captured by young local photographer Joshua Maxwell de Hoog – this year’s Geelong Youth Award winner for art and music.

The photographs will be featured on the buildings until mid-August.

NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture, contribution and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The pictures are featured on Busport, The Carousel at The Waterfront, Civic Carpark, City Hall, Corio Library, The fOrT, The Geelong Arena, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong West Senior Citizens Centre, Grovedale Neighbourhood House, Highton Library, Leisurelink, Narana Cultural Centre, Ocean Grove Library, Splashdown, West Townhall, University Hospital Geelong, and the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative.

“It’s great to see these inspiring Aboriginal women recognised on buildings throughout Greater Geelong,” Cr Sarah Mansfield, who holds the portfolio for an inclusive and diverse community, said.

“These beautiful photographs are a great way to showcase NAIDOC Week and publicly celebrate the contribution Aboriginal women have made to our community.

“I’d encourage everyone to come out and see them over the next eight weeks.”

NAIDOC Week is also being celebrated outside the Geelong police station, with police and residents placing handprints on bollards in the Many Hands Together art project.