Celebrate Indigenous culture on NAIDOC Week
In Summary
As part of an ongoing commitment to our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Swinburne invites you to National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee(NAIDOC) Week, a celebration of Aboriginal culture in all its forms.
The event, which is brought to us by our RAP Working Group in conjunction with the Swinburne Staff Club, will consist of three morning teas held at each of our Croydon, Wantirna and Hawthorn campuses.
Andrew Peters, Swinburne Lecturer of Indigenous Studies and Tourism, key event organiser and a descendant of the Wurundjeri and Yorta peoples of Victoria, is excited about the initiative which is a first for Swinburne.
“NAIDOC Week is an important celebration of Aboriginal culture,” he comments.
“Over the years NAIDOC Week has moved away from being a protest against ‘invasion’ which was originally held on January 26, to what has now become a week-long celebration of Aboriginal culture.”
“The event is an opportunity to reflect on how Aboriginal culture is very much alive, thriving, and celebrated in everyday Australian life, in every part of the country.”
NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee and is the culmination of almost 90 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander political activism and fight for recognition.
“This is the first time that we hold this event at Swinburne,” Andrew shares. “But we certainly hope that it becomes an annual event and a springboard to bigger and better NAIDOC celebrations here as it is an important part of our RAP objectives. The event forms part of the 2020 vision to build culture and capability through establishing connections between staff, Aboriginal people and culture.”
Each campus event will include a Welcome to Country and a flag raising ceremony, followed by traditional Indigenous snacks, tea and coffee – morning tea with an Aboriginal flavour.
“It’s a small but important way for staff to continue to find their own ways to recognise, understand and connect with Aboriginal culture in our society,” Andrew reflects.
“I really encourage everyone to come along and show their support.”
Event details
Croydon - Tuesday 7 July
10.20am Welcome to Country (Uncle Bill Nicholson)
10.30am Raising the Flag
Morning tea: In the Auditorium
Wantirna - Wednesday 8 July
10.20am Welcome to Country (Uncle Bill Nicholson)
10.30am Raising the Flag
Morning tea: WS Foyer
Hawthorn - Thursday 9 July
10.20am Welcome to Country (Aunty Joy Wandin-Murphy)
10.30am Raising the Flag
Morning tea: The George Building
Find out more: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/events/departments/indigenous/2015/07/celebrate-naidoc-week-morning-tea.php
*Moondani Toombadool means embracing teaching and learning’ in Woiwurrung language. It is a term that describes Swinburne’s commitment to education, including the support team and Indigenous programs that we offer across all campuses and in our work with communities across Australia.
The painting depicts the continuous cycle of footprints on a never-ending journey travelling around Swinburne’s campuses located on Wurundjeri land. The painting also shows meetings or gatherings that involve many people and Elders from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The colours used in the painting are aligned to the colours of Swinburne. The use of earthy ochre in the background as well yellow and black throughout gives a sense of the culture of Wurundjeri people while also reflecting the Aboriginal flag.