This week marks National NADOC Week, an opportunity for all Australians to explore the cultures and histories of First Nations peoples and engage in festivities to celebrate the world's oldest continuous living cultures.
This year's NAIDOC Week theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, which celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the First Nations voices that have long been silenced.
On Monday 8 July Ararat Rural City Council invited members of the community to celebrate National NAIDOC Week at Ararat Gallery TAMA. Celebrations included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Paul Kelly, a proud Gunditjmara - Kirrae Wurrong man from Southwest Victoria, and a highly regarded yidaki (didgeridoo) player and cultural performer.
The Ceremony is a ritual using smoke to cleanse and welcome, promoting healing and wellbeing. The native leaves Paul had gathered to smoulder over the fire were not just important in and of themselves, he explained; the way they are connected to the biodiverse ecosystem they come from is central to their power and meaning.
Paul shared the deep history of his connection to the region, which encompasses not just the landscape (such as the Glen-Hopkins River, a significant waterway to his ancestors through his mother's side), but the area's sociological history as well. Paul's great-great-great grandfather played marngrook - the precursor to AFL - which originated in Moyston.
"They played with a possum-skinned ball, and he was one of the first Indigenous men to play AFL," said Paul.
The region is home to another location important to Paul's people: Bunjil's Cave, a sacred site in the Grampians. "In our Dreaming, Bunjil is so significant," Paul explained. "He created our laws, all our customs, and all our beliefs. He takes the form of the wedge-tailed eagle... Unfortunately, my West Coast Eagles did not, recently, do as well as Bunjil."
Bunjil's Cave contains the only known rock art in Australia which depicts this principal creator-being.
Following the Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country from Paul, Mayor Bob Sanders emphasised the significance of National NAIDOC Week.
"NAIDOC Week is not just about celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; it's about acknowledging the ongoing journey of reconciliation," he said. "It's a chance to learn from the resilience and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who have faced immense challenges throughout history, and still do today."
Following the Mayor's address, attendees enjoyed an afternoon tea in the Studio of Ararat Gallery TAMA, followed by a viewing of the work of distinguished Kirrae Whurrung artist Brett Clarke. Brett is a singer, songwriter, musician, carver, dancer, and father whose work spans visual arts, multimedia, music creation, and sound design. The exhibition of Brett's work is currently open to view at Ararat Gallery TAMA.
Ararat Rural City Council's 2024-25 Budget dedicates $100,000 towards an ongoing initiative to develop strong connections with traditional owners that will work to help close the gap and work to deliver a better future for Indigenous Australians. Council are committed to supporting a process of reconciliation, proactively taking steps to develop new partnerships with Traditional Owners in the region to create a more inclusive and diverse community.
Ararat Rural City Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work, the Eastern Maar, Barengi Gadjin (the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations), and Wadawurrung peoples, and recognise their connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
