Celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the the oldest continuing culture. It’s a week of communities coming together to celebrate, host events, activities and gatherings within their communities. It is also an opportunity for all Australians to come together to pay respect and celebrate the enduring traditions and contemporary diversities of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’ each year, a different theme is announced. This year’s theme is: Songlines –The living narrative of our nation. The 2016 theme, Songlines ‐ The living narrative of our nation ‐ will highlight the importance of Songlines to the existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Dreamtime describes a time when the earth, people and animals were created by our ancestral spiritual beings. They created the rivers, lakes, plants, land formations and living creatures. Dreaming tracks are sometimes called ‘Songlines’ which record the travels of these ancestral spirits who 'sung' the land into life, it will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people histories and deep spiritual connection to the land. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples used Songlines to navigate vast distances and map oceans, waterholes, rivers, birds, animals, plants and hunting grounds. All Australians are encouraged to explore and celebrate how, through Songlines, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain connected to Country, ancestors and spirituality and continue to share sacred stories and ceremonies for tens of thousands of years. Throughout Australia Local community celebrations that take place during NAIDOC Week are organized by local communities, government agencies, local councils, schools and workplaces. Wathaurong cooperative will start their NAIDOC celebrations on the 2nd July holding a NAIDOC ball followed by their annual flag raising event being held on Monday 4th July and other activities throughout the week. Deakin’s Institute of Koorie Education will be launch a new program AIME and celebrating National hoodie day to coincide with NAIDOC week. Numerous staff will also attend the Annual Victorian NAIDOC ball and return to their countries and communities to celebrate events and activities. There are numerous events being held in Geelong and all over Australia you can attend. NAIDOC week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which Deakin University stands and we pay
our respect.
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