NAIDOC Week 2021 an opportunity to Heal Country!

Published on 29 June 2021

Mildura Rural City Council and the Aboriginal Action Committee (AAC) will hold a flag raising ceremony and morning tea this weekend to mark the beginning of NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week runs nationally from 4 July to 11 July, allowing Australians to come together and celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is Heal Country!, which calls on everyone to seek greater protection of Traditional lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction.

To mark this year’s event, Council and the AAC will perform a flag raising ceremony in front of the Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre at 10am on Sunday 4 July.

The ceremony will include a digeridoo performance by local Aboriginal player Willy Hannah and Traditional dance by local Indigenous dancers.

AAC Chair Thelma Chilly said this year’s theme – Heal Country! – acknowledged the long-running call for stronger measures to recognise and protect First Nation’s culture and heritage.

“This year’s theme is about the need to respect, embrace, protect and value First Nation’s culture, sacred sites, lands and water in the same way Australians from other backgrounds respect and protect their own heritage,” Ms Chilly said.

Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Community Development and Gender Equality Helen Healy said this year’s theme highlighted the pivotal role First Nation’s culture played in Australia’s story.

“First Nation’s culture and understanding of Country lies at the heart of Australia’s rich heritage and the future well-being and sustainability of us all,” Cr Healy said.

Mildura Mayor Jason Modica will speak at this Sunday’s ceremony which will be coordinated by AAC Vice Chair Sharon Johnson.

The flag raising ceremony will be followed by a morning tea and the screening of a series of short video messages created by AAC members explaining the meaning and importance of this year’s theme.

As part of the event the First People of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation will conduct a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.

The community is welcome to attend the event, but need to register by emailing kerren.miles@mildura.vic.gov.au to ensure COVID-19 social density limits are adhered to.

For more information visit mildura.vic.gov.au/NAIDOC2021.

ENDS