City of Ballarat celebrates NAIDOC Week

The City of Ballarat has collaborated with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) to host a joint NAIDOC Week celebration for the first time.

A Welcome to Country from Wadawurrung Elder Aunty Marlene Gilson, smoking ceremony and flag raising event was held in Queen Victoria Square in Sturt Street on Tuesday morning.

Following the flag raising, a community event was held at the Art Gallery of Ballarat featuring a series of presentations from City of Ballarat, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Ballarat And District Aboriginal Co-operative on various First Nations-themed collaborations and the award-winning musician, Wiradjuri man Gary Watling. Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk woman and Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG) member Nikki Foy emceed the event.

Guests were also provided with an indigenous seedling to take home and plant to support biodiversity across the City of Ballarat.

The 2023 theme of NAIDOC Week is ‘For Our Elders’ and recognises the significant role all First Nations’ Elders have played across our municipality for generations and continue to play today.

This year NAIDOC Week is held from Saturday 2 July to Sunday 9 July.

City of Ballarat Councillor, Belinda Coates said a strong turnout at the NAIDOC Week flag raising, as well as the National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week events in recent months, showed a strong appetite to ensure recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their contributions to Ballarat.

“It’s absolutely crucial we never forget the contribution First Nations people continue to make not just to Ballarat, but the entire nation,” Cr Coates said.

“In celebrating NAIDOC Week as a community, we build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories and our shared future.

“The City of Ballarat has a rich Aboriginal history on Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung lands. Celebrating, promoting, and partnering with Aboriginal community controlled organisations and community members in diverse ways helps improve the entire city.

“We are honoured to work collaboratively with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation for this event and value our relationship with them.”

The delivery of the 2023 NAIDOC Week flag raising, Welcome to Country and celebratory community event is consistent with the City of Ballarat's Reconciliation Action Plan and Intercultural City Strategic Plan and is planned with the guidance of KEAG.

The City of Ballarat is currently developing its updated Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025, which outlines the organisation’s commitment to supporting the reconciliation process.

For the full NAIDOC Week program visit the City of Ballarat’s NAIDOC Week page and don’t forget to enjoy the NAIDOC Week flag installation at Ballarat Umbrella Laneway.