Each year, NAIDOC Week (4-11 July) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme is Heal Country – Country is inherent to First Nations people’s identity.
Discover what it means to embrace First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage.
We’ve gathered a list of events, online and offline in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne that you can attend to build knowledge of and deepen respect for this land we all call home.
Hearing for Healing Competition
Register: https://visiongraphics4.wixsite.com/hearingforhealing
Hearing Australia, Soundfair, RWAV and VACCHO are collaborating to develop state-wide ear and hearing health messages that resonates with Community. They are hosting a competition for community to share their ear and hearing health messaging with community.
Briars Aboriginal Cultural Walk (Mount Martha)
When: Friday 11 June – Saturday 10 July
Where: The Briars, 450 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha
Register: https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events/briars-aboriginal-cultural-walk-2
Discover how Victorian Aboriginals have cared for and used the flora and fauna of the Mornington Peninsula during a beautiful walk with Pitjantjatjara man Sean Moyle (Living Culture) as your guide.
Heal Country! Art Competition
When: Monday 21 June – Sunday 25 July
Where: Deakin
Register: https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/vision-and-values/diversity-and-inclusion/deakin-engagement-and-access-program/naidoc-art-competition
Deakin University is inviting young people between 5 to 19 years of age to create and submit their artwork in response to this year’s NAIDOC theme: Heal Country!
Beyond the Bars 2021 (Radio)
Broadcast dates:
Mon 5 July 11am-2pm – Dame Phyllis Frost Centre (Deer Park)
Tue 6 July 11am-2pm – Barwon Prison (Lara, near Geelong)
Wed 7 July 11-1pm – Fulham Correctional Centre (near Sale, Gippsland)
Wed 7 July 1-3pm – Loddon Prison (Castlemaine)
Thu 8 July 11-3pm – Marngoneet Correctional Centre (Lara, near Geelong)
Fri 9 July 11am-1pm – Port Phillip Prison (Laverton)
Beyond the Bars broadcasts from six Victorian prisons during NAIDOC Week 5-9 July 2021. The broadcasts can be heard on 3CR 855AM, 3CR Digital, or streaming live. Previous years are available to listen to anytime online.
Storytime with Author Thomas Mayor (Zoom)
When: Friday 9 July
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Where: Online
Register: https://events.ccl.vic.gov.au/event?id=4236
Join Casey Cardinia Libraries online for a special Zoom Storytime with author Thomas Mayor as he shares his picture book Finding Our Heart- A Story about the Uluru Statement for Young Australians (Illustrated by Blak Douglas), a book about understanding Australias past, so we can have a shared future.
ISAIAH – Spirit and Beyond Tour (Dandenong)
When: Tuesday 6 July
Time: 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Where: Drum Theatre, Dandenong
Register: https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events/isaiah-spirit-and-beyond-tour
Share in the wonder of Isaiah’s music, voice and dream-fulfilling journey from rural small town to X-Factor winner and representing Australia to acclaim at Eurovision 2017. Isaiah will be performing at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.
Story time with Boori Monty Pryor (St Kilda)
When: Sunday 11 July
Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm
Where: Readings, St Kilda
Register: https://www.readings.com.au/event/story-time-with-boori-monty-pryor#
Legendary and much-loved First Nations storyteller, Boori Monty Pryor will be reading his latest book Story Doctors, an exquisitely illustrated celebration of the power of storytelling to unite us, how nature connects us, and the wonderful truth that the medicine needed for healing lies within us all. He will also be playing didgeridoo on the day and there will be colouring in for the children.
Earth Burns, Water Cries, Exhibition by Wayne Quilliam (South Yarra)
When: Ends Thursday 30 September
Time: Viewing will be strictly by appointment
Where: South Yarra
Register: https://www.catherineasquithart.com/livewithart
The exhibition by Wayne Quilliam comprises photographic works from the Lowanna, Towindri and Smoke series and will highlight the NAIDOC 2021 theme, “Heal Country”.
As Wayne notes, “this work represents the current state of flux, this time of alienation, separation and unnoticed noise. These futuristic compositions might at first glimpse appear peaceful, but in truth, they point to an alarming state for modern society. The noise is deafening as the ancestors speak, crying to us to “Heal Country”.
NAIDOC Family Day (Frankston)
When: Thursday 8 July
Where: 32 Nursery Ave, Frankston, Victoria 3199 Australia
Time: 11.00am – 2.00pm
Register: https://www.djambana.org.au/event/naidoc-family-day/
Hosted by Nairm Marr Djambana, this event will celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021.
