NAIDOC Week 2023 was a very busy one for the Rec Vic team as we focused on getting out across Victoria to support community events celebrating this year’s theme: For Our Elders.
We were privileged to be able to attend a whole host of events throughout NAIDOC Week but here are a few team highlights. The whole Rec Vic team proudly walked in the Vic NAIDOC March through the streets of Naarm, under our banner and alongside many community organisations, First Peoples and reconciliation supporters calling for Voice, Treaty and Truth.
Rec Vic CEO and Board Members were honoured to attend the NAIDOC State Reception at Parliament House. Our Projects Support Officer Claire (Gunai Kurnai) headed to the GLAWAC Family Day in Stratford on Gunai Kurnai country filled with ceremony and dances. Our Admin Support Officer Emily was down on Bunurong Country at Nairm Marr Djambana for the Flag raising ceremony and launch of the Elders Photo exhibition. Our Comms Officer, Poppy, and Education Officer, Sarah, were delighted to attend the NAIDOC Elders event at Yoorrook Justice Commission where Commissioner Eleanor Bourke and Uncle Kevin Coombs spoke on the importance of listening to Elders and their truth-telling.
These are some of the highlights from a busy week at the Rec Vic Office, we hope you were able to get out and attend community events this NAIDOC Week.
NAIDOC Week Staff Highlights
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Nairm Maar Djambana for their NAIDOC flag raising ceremony
Monday 3 July
To kick of NAIDOC week, Reconciliation Victoria’s Administrative Officer attended an event held at Nairm Maar Djambana for their NAIDOC flag raising ceremony and stories launch elders photo exhibition.
It was a beautiful day on Bunurong Country with no rain in sight. The event kicked off with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony performed by father and son traditional owner duo Josh and Danny West, having the whole community walk through the smoke and cleanse for the start of an amazing week to come.
Jarod West a chairperson at Nairm Marr Djambana hosted most of the event talking about Bunurong and what Elders mean them and the history they pass down.
The event was then fortunate to host a traditional Aboriginal men dance group by the name of small ant brothers who are based on Wurundjeri/Bunurong country to perform a couple of dancers.
The event finished with elders raising all three flags accompanied by children of family members.
All attendees were then invited into the come inside and view the exhibition that was a lovely set of images of Elders, have a snack and gather around to show case the launch of the personal stories told by 10different elders.
Aunty Dyan Summers, Aunty Dawn Campbell, Aunty YvonneLuke, Aunty Karen Kent, Uncle Steve Delaney and Aunty Roseina Woods daughter was there to explain a little about what their story: details in their life regarding the stolen generations and what they have been through.
Overall the event was a wonderful start to NAIDOC week and was beautiful to see the community gather to celebrate elders past present and emerging.
Emily Campbell-Young
Administration Officer
NAIDOC GLAWAC Family Day
On Thursday 6 July, Reconciliation Victoria’s Project Support Officer attended the GLAWAC Family Day in Stratford.
It was a beautiful sunny morning, starting with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony. This was followed by the women and men dance groups, showcasing the pride and strength in Gunai culture. There was then plenty of time to enjoy the food trucks, stalls and fun activities set up around the reserve.
It was a great day to connect with family and celebrate NAIDOC week on Country.
Claire Hyett (Gunaikurnai)
Project Support Officer
VIC NAIDOC March
What a wonderful privilege to experience the 2023 Melbourne NAIDOC march, on Friday 7 July. The feeling of being surrounded by a sea of people brimming with excitement and pride is unmatched. After finding each other in the crowd the march kicked off just shy of the official start time of 12pm. We unfurled the banner and Poppy, Peter, and Alex took the first shift of official banner holding duty.
Reconciliation Victoria marched along with various other organisations, and hundreds if not thousands of individuals, Mob and allies alike. We stopped at key points along the way, though from our position it was hard to hear anything until we reached the steps of Parliament. The ache in my feet from standing for around thirty minutes was worth it to see so many people step up and speak with such passion. They spoke about the contribution of elders in their own lives and the greater community, they spoke of their hope for the future, of the fight and determination that it will take to succeed, and they spoke of their pleasure to see so many faces in the crowd – seeing the non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples proudly walking in support beside us.
After that invigorating stop, we commenced walking again towards the end point at Flinders and Swanston Streets. I met and spoke to many people in the crowd, it was electrifying to see their pride and happiness. My banner holding duties was much trickier than it looked when fighting against the wind.
Overall it was a wonderful day with wonderful people.
Jayde Hopkins (Gurindji, Woolwonga)
First Nations Project Officer
NAIDOC March Photo Gallery
