Community
28 June, 2024
Mt Leura to mark NAIDOC Week
THE Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf Management Committee and the Corangamite Film Society are both holding NAIDOC week events in coming weeks to participate in the national celebrations.
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme for NAIDOC week is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.
Corangamite Film Society president and Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf Management Committee member Chris Warren said 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.
“Thursday Pictures, run each month by the Corangamite Film Society, will celebrate NAIDOC week with a screening of the film ‘We are still here’ on Thursday July 4 from 7.30pm at the Killara Centre, Camperdown,” he said.
“The film is an anthology of Indigenous stories that traverse 1000 years from past, present and future.
“Eight powerful tales tell a sweeping story of hope and survival for Indigenous people from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
“As a special NAIDOC week screening, the Corangamite Film Society has arranged for a welcome to country to be performed by local Indigenous identity Brett Clarke.”
Mr Clarke will also be showing his short film ‘Ngakee wanga toompa – look listen feel’ prior to the feature film.
Entry is $10 per person, which includes supper and both films.
On Sunday, July 7, The Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf Management Committee, with support from Friends of Mount Leura, will again be holding their annual NAIDOC week event.
The event will also include a welcome to country and smoking ceremony by Mr Clarke and family in the wildflower garden of the Volcanic Education Centre at the base of Mount Leura.
Mr Warren said the Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf Management Committee is pleased to announce at this year’s event they will also launch a special artwork created to portray the six seasons observed by indigenous peoples of the region.
“This is an opportunity to get a first look at this significant project initiated by the management committee,” he said.
“The artwork will be used in an educational display depicting the seasonal calendar at Mount Leura.
“Check the socials and websites of each organisation for event times and other details.”