Charlotte Varcoe
ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander culture will be celebrated once again this year with NAIDOC Week starting this weekend.
NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held across Australia during the first week of July to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
First beginning as the National Day of Mourning – which was held on the Sunday before Australia Day – NAIDOC Week became an annual tradition in 1967 where the ongoing registered title of the committee became the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).
Each year, the City of Mount Gambier partners with Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation, Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Health Organisation and Aboriginal Family Support Services to host the community celebrations.
This will include a reception hosted by the City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin with Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation acting chief executive Tara Bonney expected to also make a speech.
It will be followed by a smoking ceremony at the Cave Gardens/Thugi led by First Nations Elder Uncle Doug Nicholls and a flag raising ceremony by Elders Aunty Val Brennan and Uncle Jack Sailor.
This year will also be a special year for the local Brennan family with three generations helping with the celebrations.
Alongside Aunty Vale raising the flag, her son Tim Brennan and grandsons Bobby, Chuck and Alfie will perform the Welcome to Country.
As well as the flag raising and smoking ceremony, a march will start from the Cave Gardens/Thugi down Commercial Street to Pangula where the announcement of the 2024 recipients of NAIDOC Awards will be held.
This year’s theme of Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud aims to showcase the “enduring strength” and vitality of Indigenous cultures with it being passed down through generations despite the challenges faced.
‘Blak, Loud and Proud’ aims to showcase the “unapologetic” celebration of Indigenous identity while also empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to stand tall in their heritage and assert their place in the modern world.
Destiny and Emilee said they both liked celebrating NAIDOC Week because it gave them a chance to celebrate their culture and connect with family and friends.
Emilee said she enjoyed the NAIDOC Week march with this year being her third year.
Both Emilee and Destiny previously marched at Mount Gambier/Berrin and in the Riverlands.
Destiny said she liked the march because she liked walking with everyone and playing with her friends and family at Pangula after especially her younger brother Tyler.
Other events throughout the week include a community breakfast and childrens activities held at Vansittart Park on Wednesday from 9am until 11.30pm.
The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre will also host the Stronger You Journal launch alongside headspace on Friday from 12pm until 2pm.
