NAIDOC Week runs from July 4 – 11 to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country! – calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for Aboriginal lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
There is a range of events happening across Bendigo. Explore the program below.
NAIDOC events in Bendigo
Friday 2nd July
BENDIGO & DISTRICT ABORIGINAL CO-OPERATIVE FLAG RAISING AND SMOKING CEREMONY
Where: BDAC – 119 Prouses Road, North Bendigo
When: 10.30am – 11.30am
Cost: FREE
Start your NAIDOC Week by joining us for the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative’s Flag Raising event.
Registration of attendance is required.
Saturday 3rd July
MARONG FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB – MARONG V YCW INDIGENOUS ROUND MATCH
Where: Discover Park, Malone Park Road Marong
When: Games commence at 10:30am
Cost: 17 and Under FREE, $12 entry for adults (includes Elvee Footy Record)
A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will be performed prior to the start of the Senior Football and A Grade netball matches.
Marong and YCW Football Netball Clubs participate in the Loddon Valley Football Netball League Indigenous Round. Both Senior Football Teams and A Grade Netball Teams will wear uniforms designed by local artists.
Monday 5 July
CoGB – NAIDOC WEEK FLAG RAISING AND CIVIC RECEPTION
Where: Bendigo Town Hall & Library Gardens, 189-193 Hargreaves St Bendigo
When: 10am – 12pm
Cost: FREE
Official launch of NAIDOC Week celebrations, including a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony as part of the flag-raising ceremony. Event to take place in the Library Gardens (between Library and Town Hall).
JIMBEYER BOONJHIL – INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SHARE DAY
Where: The Heywood Library Gallery, La Trobe University Bendigo
Where: 10am – 1pm
Contact Tashara Roberts, Indigenous Academic Enrichment Co-ordinator on 0439 932 278 or email t.roberts@latrobe.edu.au for more information.
Tuesday 6 July
ACCESS AUSTRALIA GROUP OPEN DAY AT PEPPERGREEN FARM
Where: 40 – 44 Thunder Street, North Bendigo
When: 10am – 12pm
Cost: FREE
Access Australia Group and Bendigo Deaf Hub invite the community to come and visit Peppergreen Farm. Our open day will include a tour of our beautiful garden, and morning tea. Join in some fun activities available to the community along with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony provided by Dja Dja Wurrung.
Community radio, Phoenix FM will be broadcasting on site for the day.
Wednesday 7 July
BENDIGO HEALTH CULTURAL DISPLAY
Where: Bendigo Health, Ground Floor, Main Atrium, 100 Barnard Street, Bendigo
When: 10 – 12pm
Cost: FREE
Bendigo Health will host a display of cultural artefacts and bush tucker plants in the atrium for visitors and staff to engage and celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021. We will also have a didgeridoo performance and basket weaving demonstration as part of our event.
Thursday 8 July
BENDIGO ART GALLERY NAIDOC WEEK: IN CONVERSATION WITH BENDIGO ART GALLERY’S FIRST NATIONS CURATOR
Where: La Trobe Arts Institute, View Street, Bendigo
When: 6pm – 7pm
Cost: FREE
As part of NAIDOC Week meet newly appointed Isobel Morphy-Walsh, Bendigo Art Gallery’s First Nations Curator in conversation with Paulie Ugle, Program Members Coordinator at Dja Dja Wurrung Clans and Curatorial Manager Lauren Ellis. The speakers will discuss the theme of protection of Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights.
WARTATJARRANG LOCAL ABORIGINAL NETWORK TRIVIA NIGHT
Where: Piano Bar, 264 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo
When: 7pm
Cost: FREE
An Aboriginal/NAIDOC themed trivia night Come along to a fun night and test your knowledge on all things Aboriginal.
All welcome however age is 18+. Drinks will be available at bar prices.
Venue numbers will be capped at 90 (if allowed at that stage).
Friday 9 July
ST JOHN OF GOD HOSPITAL NAIDOC WEEK ART EXHIBITION AND COMMUNITY LUNCH
Where: St John of God Hospital Atrium, 133 – 145 Lily Street, Bendigo
When: Commencing at 11:30am
Cost: FREE (gold coin donation is appreciated for lunch)
St John of God Hospital will be hosting a lunch for staff and guests to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
This will include an Aboriginal art exhibition and guest speakers. Some pieces will be for sale.
RAYLENE HARRADINE AND HOO-GAH CAFE – 6 SEASONS
Where: Hoo-gah, 4 Mitchell St, Bendigo
When: 6:30pm
Cost: $95 per person, includes a drink on arrival.
Hoo-gah hosts dinner with Raylene Harradine.
Raylene will share her knowledge over dinner to celebrate Bendigo as the UNESCO City of Gastronomy. 6Seasons is a degustation style event featuring six courses, each focusing on the six annual seasons.
Friday 23 – Saturday 24 July
BENDIGO VENUES & EVENTS AND BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE SANDSONG: STORIES FROM THE GREAT SANDY DESERT
Where: Ulumbarra Theatre, 10 Gaol Road, Bendigo
When: 7:30pm – 8:45pm on both dates
Cost: Adult: $60; Concession: $55; Student: $35.00
SandSong is a journey into ancient story systems framed against the backdrop of ever-changing government policy and of the survival of people determined to hold strong to their Culture.
SandSong is created by Bangarra Dance Theatre in consultation with Wangkatjungka/Walmajarri Elders from the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert regions, drawing on the stories, knowledge and memories of the past to create a new narrative for our Indigenous futures.
Saturday 10 July
NAIDOC WEEK SOCCER MATCH FC EAGLEHAWK NAIDOC CELEBRATION GAME
Where: 5 Murdoch St, California Gully
When: Commencing 5pm
Cost: FREE
A celebration of NAIDOC with a soccer match that pays respect to our Indigenous Community including Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country.
ALL WEEK
KNULDOORONG NAIDOC ART EXHIBITION
Where: Dudley House, 50 View Street, Bendigo
When: Friday July – Sunday 11 July, 11am to 4pm (not open Monday 5 July)
Cost: FREE
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Knuldoorong means – All/everyone together. A diverse group of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people coming together to showcase their artistic talent.
All works for sale
ST JOHN OF GOD HOSPITAL NAIDOC WEEK ART EXHIBITION
Where: St John of God Hospital Atrium, 133 – 145 Lily Street, Bendigo
Open: Saturday 3 July – Saturday 17 July, 8am – 6pm daily
Cost: FREE
Some art pieces will be for sale.
Wednesday 28 July
BENDIGO VENUES & EVENTS, CASUS CIRCUS AND CLUSTER ARTS – CHASING SMOKE
Where: Ulumbarra Theatre, 10 Gaol Road, Bendigo
When: 11am – 12p
Cost: Adult: $16; Child: $16
Queensland’s internationally-acclaimed Casus Circus (Driftwood; Knee Deep) presents award-winning work Chasing Smoke, featuring Australia’s only Indigenous contemporary circus ensemble led by Samoan-Australian director and Casus co-founder Natano Fa’anana (Polytoxic; Briefs).
