Celebrating First Nations’ spirit in surfing

FIRST Nations panellists will share reflections on their deep connections with Sea Country through surfing at a Surf Coast Shire celebration for NAIDOC Week.

The “Spirit in Surfing” presentation on Wadawurrung Country at Torquay’s Australian National Surfing Museum on Wednesday, July 10 will also feature inspiring discussion on the 2024 NAIDOC Week theme “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”.

NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is observed from July 7 to July 14 this year, and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people.

The Spirit in Surfing panellists will be:

• Corrina Eccles, Wadawurrung woman, surfing mentor and volunteer for surfing programs on Wadawurrung Country for 17 years
• Jordie Campbell, Munna Munna man, Surfing Victoria Head of Programs and Indigenous Aquatics Manager, and 12-time Victorian indigenous surfing champion, and
• Jessi Rebel, Wiradjuri woman, artist, community youth worker, passionate surfer, 2024 High Line Surf Fest crew member.

The discussion will be compered by Jodie Sizer, Djab Wurrung and Gunditjimara woman, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority chief executive officer and a leading advocate for meaningful change for Aboriginal communities.

As well as reflecting on surfing and Sea Country, each of the panellists will expand on what the 2024 NAIDOC theme means to them, and talk about an image with special personal meaning, which will be shared on a big screen in the Australian National Surfing Museum’s theatrette.

Cr Libby Stapleton said the Spirit in Surfing event promised to educate and enthral.

“NAIDOC Week is a time to recognise and celebrate the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to deeply listen and learn.

“This Spirit in Surfing forum will provide rich insights across a range of cultural themes in a warm, informal and personal way.

“I am sure everyone who attends will go away feeling better educated and with a greater sense of what connection to Country, Reconciliation and self-determination for First Nations people means.

“The more we know and feel, the better Loud and Proud allies we can be.”

Spirit of Surfing will be held at the Australian National Surfing Museum, 77 Beach Road, Torquay, on Wednesday, July 10 from 5.30pm to 8pm.

Limited tickets are available by heading to events.humanitix.com/naidoc2024-ansm