NAIDOC celebrations took place last week across the municipality, with events for Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and participate in the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
Held across the first week of July, National NAIDOC Week celebrates and acknowledges the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The NAIDOC Week theme for 2024 – Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud – celebrates the spirit of communities, and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.
At Northern Health, celebrations kicked off with a didgeridoo performance by Matthew Weegberg, followed by a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Perry Wandin at the entrance to the Northern Hospital Epping.
Associate Professor and Chief Allied Health Officer Jason Cirone mentioned the hospital’s vision for all cultures in his opening address at the event.
“At Northern Health, our vision is to be a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families, and communities feel welcomed in a culturally safe environment, ensuring that our services are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of our Aboriginal community,” he said.
Northern Health Aboriginal Liaison Officer Toni Gabelish said NAIDOC was about sharing histories, cultures, and celebrations with one another.
“During NAIDOC week, we all come together and share our histories, cultures, and celebrations, and we invite all of Australia to be part of this – all of the allies, anyone trying to learn about the culture – to come together and celebrate with us,” she said.
Northern Health staff were able to participate in a range of activities during NAIDOC Week, including Aboriginal art classes, and Aboriginal culture and history sessions.
The celebrations also encouraged staff to pursue a mini market offering candles, wax melts, emu feather earrings, cultural healing, and spiritual empowerment coaching programs.
Northern Health has also recently launched its second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – serving as a strategic framework to promote reconciliation by fostering relationships, respect, and opportunities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community. A copy of the RAP is available on the Northern Health website at www.nh.org.au.
Elsewhere, a pop-up playgroup event was held at the Whittlesea Community Centre, where children and their families enjoyed Aboriginal themed children’s activities, games, and story time with the Whittlesea Library.
City of Whittlesea will also hold an event this Thursday in Epping, with a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy, including t-shirt making with Gammin Threads, emu egg painting, weaving, wood painting, and more.
The event will take place from 10.30am to 3pm, at the Galada Community Centre, 10a Forum Way, Epping.
