First Nations culture celebrated

By Lachlan Ellis

A range of events have been held in Moorabool to commemorate the achievements, history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, as part of NAIDOC Week.

Running annually in the first week of July, NAIDOC Week ran from 2 – 9 July, with this year’s theme being ‘For Our Elders’.

NAIDOC Week ran alongside the winter school holidays, allowing the free Council-hosted events to focus on getting local kids involved with Indigenous-themed art and stories.

Proud Gundtjmara storyteller and musician Jayden Lillyst shared stories celebrating the rich history of First Nations peoples in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan last Wednesday, while craft and art workshops were held on Thursday and Friday at the Lerderderg and Ballan Libraries respectively.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Rod Ward said it was fantastic to have local children learning about and getting involved with Indigenous culture.

“We were excited to run several NAIDOC Week events for the community, and especially for children during the school holidays. Our libraries in Bacchus Marsh and Ballan ran Indigenous-themed story-times, craft events and sessions using ochre paint-mixing to create Indigenous artworks,” Cr Ward told the Moorabool News.

“We thank everyone who took part in events for helping make NAIDOC Week a very special celebration in Moorabool Shire.”

For more information on NAIDOC Week and its significance, visit www.naidoc.org.au.