A CULTURAL family event next week, is the annual National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Committee (NAIDOC) celebration when many acknowledge the committee’s efforts to make peace with disruptive historic events which altered the course of many Indigenous people’s lives.
NAIDOC is a weeklong occasion for Indigenous people and their allies to focus on the 2025 theme, The next generation: strength, vision and legacy.
Goranwarrabul House in Seymour is once again flying the flag with a celebration of Aboriginal culture on Wednesday, July 9, at 6 Callen Street, Seymour commencing with a Welcome to Country Ceremony starting at 9.45am.
Goranwarrabul House is a dedicated place for Indigenous people and their allies, as well as allied health service providers to network and when the word is translated into English it means welcome, and meeting place.
At the smoking ceremony, Taungurung Traditional Owners will share cultural wisdom and welcome everyone to join in on the traditional parade towards the Vietnam Veterans War memorial to lay a wreath to honour Aboriginal people who served in the war.
Members of the Victorian Police Highway patrol will provide an escort and there will also be three to four police members participating on foot until the parade concludes at Kings Park; the Green Shed.
Everyone is invited to peruse an avenue of community support services that work towards improving lifestyles for Indigenous people, and these include stakeholders, Family Care and Mitchell Shire Council.
Live music will be performed by Torres Strait Islander Ray Ahmat, and there will be raffles, lots more kids’ activities and free food and drink.
Another highlight is an indoor skateboarding ramp set up by Gnarly Neighbours’ who are offering free, expert tutelage which may come in handy for Mitchell Shires Youth Fest event later this year.
NAIDOC 2025 is being facilitated by the traditional owners of the lands on which the event will be held, the Taungurung Land and Waters Council.
The celebrations conclude at 2pm, for more information phone 0481 357 646.
