Special story times, art exhibition and craft exhibitions will be held in Wyndham to mark NAIDOC (National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week.
NAIDOC Week is celebrated annually, and this year will be marked across the nation from Sunday, July 2 until Sunday, July 9.
To celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history, Wyndham Libraries will be hosting a range of NAIDOC activities for children.
The pop-up library will be hosting Australian Animal Craft between 10.30am and 11.30am on Monday, July 3 at Mainview Boulevard Family Centre and a range of library locations are holding NAIDOC story times including at the Julia Gillard Library on Tuesday, July 4, from 1pm; Williams Landing Library Lounge on Wednesday, July 5, from 10.30am to 11.15am; and Point Cook Town centre on Wednesday, July 5, from1pm to 1.30pm.
For adults there is a Wayapa Wuurrk Workshop being held at Manor Lakes Library, on Tuesday, July 4, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Council is also hosting the NAIDOC Running Festival, partnering with organisations, at Presidents Park on Sunday, July 9, from 10.30am to 4pm.
The Wyndham Art Gallery will also showcase two powerful first nations exhibitions, IWARA and Enduring on until July 30 to celebrate the significant role First Nations artists play within our gallery and community.
IWARA is a solo exhibition by Robert Fielding, a contemporary artist of Yankunytjatjara, Western Arrente, Pakistani and Afghan descent.
Enduring is Wyndham City’s First Nations Visual Art acquisitions from the past three years and features significant works that centre around history, place and identity.
Wyndham Cultural Centre is screening, You Can Go Now, a feature length documentary on Sunday, July 2 and on Wednesday, July 5 is hosting Naynertgotoke Bunurong Weaving and Nature Crafts workshop for children from 11am to 1pm.
Mayor Susan McIntyre said: “NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is celebrated by all Australians.
“The NAIDOC Week events across Wyndham City are a great opportunity for residents to participate in a range of activities to support and acknowledge the many and varied contributions that Aboriginal Australians make to the community.”
“We are inviting residents from all backgrounds to come along and join in a range of activities and events to celebrate NAIDOC Week.”
Wyndham welcoming city portfolio holder, councillor Jennie Barrera said: “The theme for NAIDOC Week 2023 is For our Elders. Across every generation, Elders play an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families.
“Wyndham City is extremely proud of its indigenous heritage, with over 2,511 residents identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and many of our suburbs and facilities named after Aboriginal words or people.”
Bookings are required.
Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/naidoc-week-2023v
