Celebrating NAIDOC Week

Bass Coast Reconciliation Network announces NAIDOC Week celebrations with two community events including the Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition and a Reconciliation Bridge Walk that was rescheduled from National Reconciliation Week.

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This year’s NAIDOC Week runs from July 3 to 10 and the theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! the inspiration for both the events.

The Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition at the Wonthaggi ArtSpace showcases and celebrates local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The 2022 exhibition is hosted by the Bass Coast and South Gippsland Reconciliation Group from June 29 to August 14, seven days a week from 11am-3pm.

“During NAIDOC, we are proud to be supporting the wonderful Indigenous Art Exhibition at ArtSpace in Wonthaggi,” said Patrice Mahoney OAM, Bass Coast Shire Council Aboriginal Development Officer.

“The exhibition is curated and run by Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group who are Network members and is a wonderful showcase of the talent in Bass Coast.”

The official opening of the Exhibition is on Sunday, July 3 from 1pm-3pm but you will need to register to attend for RSVP and catering. www.trybooking.com/CAEVM

The Exhibition opening will begin with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by the Bunurong, artists guest speakers and the visual arts exhibition will be open for viewing. You can also see the virtual exhibition by visiting: www.naidoc-art.com.au.

Bridge walk

The committee is excited to confirm that it has rescheduled the Reconciliation Bridge Walk to July 15. The Bridge Walk will start from 11am at the San Remo Foreshore with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony and then, from 11.30am, everyone will make their way from San Remo and across the bridge to the Grayden’s Reserve, Newhaven,  for a BBQ, flag raising, banner painting and yarning.

“The Bridge Walk was postponed on two occasions over the past two years, but we are determined to make it happen,” said Patrice.

“We’ve chosen a weekday for the event to enable school and broader community participation.”

Both community events are a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, cultures and achievements and provide an opportunity for each of us to make change, support community this NAIDOC, simply Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

The Bass Coast Reconciliation Network provides much needed support to make these events possible and is made up of members from Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Health, Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bunurong Land Council, Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members.

For more information on NAIDOC Week activities, visit www.naidoc.org.au or www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/reconciliation.