NAIDOC Week celebrates 50 Years of Deadly

Community events to celebrate 50 years of deadly for NAIDOC Week are happening across Bass Coast on Bunurong Country this July.

First Nations community members, Bass Coast Reconciliation Network and Bass Coast cultural venues are presenting a program of NAIDOC events and invite the community to join the celebrations.

This year, NAIDOC Week marks a milestone of 50 years of honouring and elevating First Nations voices, culture, and resilience.

The theme of 50 Years of Deadly recognises not only the achievements of the past, but the bright future ahead.

In Victoria in 2025, for the first time in Australia's history, a Treaty was signed with First Peoples, an opportunity for everyone to walk forward together, guided by truth, integrity and determination.

The program of events includes the annual NAIDOC Art Show in Wonthaggi, Aboriginal Comedy Allstars, Timelines art exhibition at Berninneit in Cowes, as well as film screenings at the Union Theatre in Wonthaggi.

The second Ngangga Festival and a special performance by Emma Donovan and local Gunai singer Fonzie will be staged at Berninneit.

MOBTIX for paid events are also available for community.

At the 2026 NAIDOC Art Exhibition, ArtSpace Wonthaggi comes alive with a free showcase of artworks by First Nations artists of Bass Coast, with an opening where everyone is invited to visit the gallery, meet the artists and experience a traditional Welcome to Country from 1pm on Sunday July 5.

"This year celebrates 50 years of honouring the culture, creativity and resilience of First Nations People throughout Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities," said Mary Mutsaers, exhibition organiser.

The exhibition runs until August 8 with a virtual exhibition running in tandem at naidoc-art.com.au

Reconciliation

On Saturday July 11, Bass Coast Reconciliation Network will host the second Ngangga on Milawul (Phillip Island).

Ngangga means to hear, to understand, to listen in Boonwurrung language.

The free event, run in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, will see First People's-owned stallholders, volunteers, community organisations, musicians and artists celebrate culture through fun activities, live music, deadly (great) information and support, arts, crafts and more.

Fresh off the stage from Hamer Hall Melbourne, the incredible Emma Donovan will grace the theatre at Berninneit on Sunday 12 to close NAIDOC week.

Supported by local Gunai musician Fonzie (Paul Patten), Emma's performance is bound to be a memorable one.

Tickets required and MOBTIX available.

"Education and celebration of culture is what NAIDOC is all about," says Uncle Anthony Egan, First Nations community member and co-chair of the network.

"We need to uplift all of community in this process and ensure racism is expunged and replaced with the joy of what Country and Community has to offer us.

"We celebrate NAIDOC and Ngangga and come together as a close-knit community here in the Bass Coast region on Bunurong Country with support, care and love of Country."

Ngangga is supported by Aboriginal-led partnership Dhelk Dja.

Paul Patten is part of the event organising committee and chairperson for the Inner Gippsland South Coast Dhelk Dja Action Group.

"NAIDOC Week celebrates the voices of our communuties - steady, unapologetic and proud," Paul said.

"This year's theme 50 years of deadly is a tribute to Elders past who stood firm and turned resistance into expression year after year.

This is our story, our celebration, our future."

Check the full program in this week's paper and keep up to date at

basscoast.vic.gov.au/reconciliation

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