Local Community Gathers to Honour National NAIDOC Week at Ararat Gallery TAMA

Ararat Rural City Council hosted a National NAIDOC Week celebration at Ararat Gallery TAMA last Thursday. 

Held in the Gallery Courtyard, a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was facilitated by Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation member Billy Briggs. Afterward, community members were invited into the Gallery's Studio to enjoy afternoon tea.

The event drew more than 40 attendees from the Ararat Rural City community and wider region.

Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Bob Sanders, spoke at the event, emphasising the significance of National NAIDOC Week, “National NAIDOC Week marks a very important time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

“It’s an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the world’s oldest, continuous living cultures. Council are proud to support NAIDOC Week as a time for community-wide learning, reflection, and respect.”

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

This year, National NAIDOC Week reached a historic milestone, marking 50 years of honouring and celebrating Indigenous culture, history, and achievements. 

Under the banner "50 Years of Deadly," this year’s theme pays tribute to the movement's pioneers. It is a time to reflect on five decades of stories, marches, language preservation, art, and leadership.