The community was able to join together to celebrate Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements at the 2019 Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative ball on Friday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was one of the many events celebrating the 2019 NAIDOC Week in Bendigo.
BDAC chief executive Raylene Harradine said the night was a good chance for the community to come together, enjoy a meal and connect.
Read more: Bendigo's NAIDOC Week continues to grow
The ball followed a flag raising ceremony at BDAC on Friday morning.
Members of the Dja Dja Wurrung community conducted a welcome to country during the evening.
For me personally, and probably professionally, NAIDOC means, it's a time for everyone to come together and celebrate the history of Aboriginal people from the past to the present and the future.
- Raylene Harradine
Awards were given out for contribution to the Aboriginal community across the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans' area over the past 12 months.
Ms Harradine said the night was part of promoting NAIDOC Week as a time to join together and celebrate for all.
"It's a good way of coming together in an environment where we are sitting down sharing a meal all together celebrating NAIDOC," Ms Harradine said.
This week's NAIDOC theme is "Voice, Treaty, Truth", in the light of the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages.
BDAC used the night to showcase the work its done in the past year, and encourage everyone to come together and celebrate.
Ms Harradine said working in the space of Indigenous affairs you don't get the chance to stop and talk to people, and consider what NAIDOC means for them. This event was an opportunity to do so.
"For me personally, and probably professionally, NAIDOC ... is a time for everyone to come together and celebrate the history of Aboriginal people from the past to the present and the future," Ms Harradine said.
"To me it showcases the incredible commitment from everyone... and the goodwill that people have in that space."
Full NAIDOC Week program at bit.ly/2Yvb4s8
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.
Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
