RELATED: NAIDOC Week celebrations in Bendigo
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NAIDOC Week celebrations in Bendigo will start with art exhibitions.
An exhibition opened at St John of God Bendigo hospital on Wednesday to mark the occasion
The free event showcasing the work of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists will run at the Lily Street site until Friday, July 15.
The 2016 Knuldoorong Bendigo NAIDOC Community Art Exhibition opens at 6pm on Thursday at Dudley House.
The event showcases the artistic talent of a diverse group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
About 50 works will be on display by artists including Trina Dalton-Oogjes, Robyn Davis, Tashara Roberts, Janet Bromley, Troy Firebrace, Ian Clark, Eileen Ballangarry, Samantha James, Jason Kerr, Toni McLaughlin, Mishel McMahon, Kerrie Thomsen and Anne Conway.
Artist Janet Bromley said each of the works told a story about the artist and their heritage.
“Every group does a different type of art,” she said.
Artist Troy Firebrace’s paintings are a representation of the Yorta Yorta tribe and its country, in the Shepparton area.
“Most of our stories, concepts, and art come from the river,” he said.
Paintings of a cod and a kangaroo, included in the exhibition, are obvious representations of the animals that roam his country. Others are more abstract.
One of the works displayed as part of the exhibition represents the fragmentation of Indigenous culture within the broader spectrum of Australian life.
“Our culture is hidden away,” Firebrace said.
Another represents the interconnected nature of the tribe’s Dreamtime stories.
“It kind of looks like a dream catcher,” Firebrace said.
Bendigo Mayor Rod Fyffe will officially open the exhibition, which is run in partnership with Amicus and with support form the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Magistrate’s Court.
The exhibition will then be open from 11am until 4pm until July 10, with the exception of July 4, when it will be closed.
Dudley House is located at 60 View Street, Bendigo.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
The week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.
Ms Bromley encouraged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents to register their babies for a Welcome Baby to Country ceremony at Ulumbarra Theatre from 4.30pm until 6.30pm on July 5.
Babies 0 – 36 months old who participate in the event, hosted by Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners and other Traditional Owners living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, are presented with a certificate and mementos including a possum skin.
Ms Bromley said there was a time when babies would be presented with a possum skin after birth, which was added to as the child grew.
She does not have one.
“I’m glad it’s back because it’s a very important symbol of belonging,” she said.
She said the possum skins were sourced from New Zealand, where possums were considered a pest.
Ms Bromley said people should contact Barbara Huggins on 5444 2888 for more details.