Take time to embrace and deepen your understanding of Melbourne’s Aboriginal history during NAIDOC Week from 2 to 9 July.
NAIDOC Week encourages people to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
NAIDOC originally stood for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee and was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week. The committee’s acronym has evolved into the name of the week itself.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. This year’s theme is ‘For Our Elders’.
Here are six ways to celebrate NAIDOC Week in Melbourne.
Melbourne Zoo Community Day
When: Sunday 2 July, 10am to 3pm
Where: Melbourne Zoo
What: Aboriginal Melbourne and Melbourne Zoo have planned a range of activities for children, young people and families, including art and crafts, music and cultural education.
Deadly Books Giveaway
When: Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 July
Where: Elizabeth Street Pop-up Library
What: City of Melbourne Libraries and Aboriginal Melbourne will be giving away a collection of books by Victorian Aboriginal writers throughout NAIDOC Week. Different books will be available every day the Elizabeth Street pop-up library is open, or until exhausted. Be sure to come along at 2pm on Sunday 2 July for a special launch event, with live readings from poet and performer Laniyuk (Larrakia, Kungarakan, Gurindji) and radio and TV presenter Shelley Ware (Yankanjatjara, Wirangu).
Sounds of Country
When: Tuesday 4 July to Sunday 9 July
Where: GPO Bourke Street Mall
What: Visit GPO Bourke Street at lunchtime throughout NAIDOC Week to enjoy free performances by a range of fantastic Aboriginal musicians, with different talent on show every day.
Yarn + Bling Makers Workshop
When: Friday 7 July
Where: Library at the Dock
What: Haus of Dizzy and City of Melbourne are hosting a deadly earring-making workshop together for NAIDOC week. Come along and learn how to create your own set of colourful acrylic earrings with talented Wiradjuri artist and entrepreneur, Kristy Dickinson.
NAIDOC in the City
When: Friday 7 July, 3pm to 6pm
Where: Federation Square
What: Following the annual NAIDOC March, NAIDOC in the City is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and talents. We have a stellar lineup of First Nations talent on the main stage, with performances from Shauntai Sherree, Bumpy, Mitch Tambo, Tia Gostelow and The Indigenous Outreach Projects, led by MC Bianca Hunt. There’ll also be a range of stalls to explore, offering deadly merch, traditional food, activities and more.
Finders Keepers Market
When: Friday 7 July to Sunday 9 July
Where: Royal Exhibition Building
What: Aboriginal Melbourne is sponsoring up to 20 Aboriginal-owned businesses to be part of the Finders Keepers Market. From ceramics to art, fashion to food, explore their wares this NAIDOC Week.
To find out more, visit NAIDOC Week – City of Melbourne.
