Coming together to celebrate NAIDOC Week

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC), Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and the City of Ballarat will join forces next week to mark the beginning of NAIDOC Week 2024.

The week will begin with a flag raising event at BADAC, 106 Armstrong Street North on Monday, followed by the annual memorial walk to lay a wreath at the grave of Wadawurrung Ancestor, Frank Mullawallah Wilson.

NAIDOC Week is held each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year, NAIDOC Week is being held from Sunday 7 July to Sunday 14 July, with a range of celebrations and events taking place across Ballarat.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, celebrating the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and inviting all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

The newly created Ballarat First Nations Events website lists the week’s activities.

Highlights of the week include:

• A collaborative flag raising event with BADAC, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the City of Ballarat, 10am Monday 8 July
• The annual walk from BADAC to the Ballarat New Cemetery to honour Wadawurrung Ancestor Frank Mullawallah Wilson, Monday 8 July
• The City of Ballarat's Umbrella Lane installation, Tuesday 2nd –15 July  
• BADAC Junior NAIDOC Ball, Monday 8 July  
• Wadawurrung plants and stories workshop, Ballarat Libraries Thursday 11 July
• Parent Place NAIDOC Week book readings and craft activities
• Sensory Bushfoods Walk and Talks across NAIDOC week,
• The BADAC Market Street Community Day, Wednesday 10 July
• Aging Well Weaving Workshop for over 55s at Perridak Arts, Friday 12 July

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said Council was proud to strengthen relationships by collaborating and promoting the unique and diverse cultures and dynamic activities and work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples of Ballarat.  

“To be able to come together as one this year to celebrate NAIDOC Week is a really significant moment in our reconciliation journey and will strengthen our work together going forward,” Cr Hudson said.

“We greatly value our relationship with both organisations and the Ballarat Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and look forward to ongoing collaborations into the future.”

The City of Ballarat’s vision is to acknowledge through actions, as well as words, the histories and continuing contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – in particular the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples.

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative CEO Karen Heap said the organisation was excited to stand with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, the Custodians and Traditional Owners of this land, the Wadawurrung People.  

“United with the City of Ballarat, our three organisations are coming together to celebrate First Nations culture and history this NAIDOC Week,” she said.

“We look forward to future joint celebrations solidifying our equal place and standing in this amazing City of Ballarat, bringing the true meaning of this year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’ to life.  

“We stand together, we walk together, we learn together.”

The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) was established by members of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community in 1979, many of whom were Stolen Generations or are family members of survivors. BADAC supports the health and wellbeing of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community with a range of holistic services.

Wadawurrung woman and WTOAC representative Shannen Mennen said it was important for the entire Ballarat community to come together to celebrate all that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples contribute to our community.

“It is fantastic to partner with Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-Operative for this year’s NAIDOC week celebrations,” she said.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and to connect with the broader Ballarat community.”

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) is the representative body for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, who are the custodians and knowledge holders of Wadawurrung Country.

Visit the Ballarat First Nations Events website for full event details.