Groovin the Moo is including an Indigenous Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at each of its 2019 festivals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dja Dja Wurrung woman Bec Phillips will lead a performance to complement the ceremonies by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation at Bendigo's GTM event on Saturday.
"It's great every time there is a gathering on our country, we're included in the formalities," she said.
"We are doing a welcome and smoking ceremony as well as a bit of a contemporary dance to suit the event. It will be traditional dancing to some more modern music."
The ceremonies will take place at 10.40am on the Cattleyard stage with the Dja Dja Wurrung representatives to speak about respecting the country.
"We have a high moral principal on caring for our country and that's a message we let crowd know - to respect our country while having a good time," Ms Phillips said.
"Music is an ancient art form where people can come together and relate to despite our different backgrounds."
GTM promoter Stephen Halpin was again looking forward to a good event in Bendigo.
"It's good to get first weekend out of the way and arrive in sunny Bendigo," he said.
"It feels like a bigger show this year. We've sold the same number of tickets but it feels like a bigger show.
"The anticipation is higher and from our sense, when managing higher-profile artists it brings high expectations."
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.