GOTAFE celebrates NAIDOC Week
This week is NAIDOC Week – a week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC has origins tracing back to the 1920s and was the result of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking to increase awareness of their status and rights in the wider community.
This year’s theme, For Our Elders, recognises First Nations Elders and their roles and contributions to community in the past, present and future.
In a showcase of culture, and in celebration of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth, apparel worn in the GOTAFE Goulburn Valley League (GVL) this weekend will carry designs guided by GOTAFE’s Koorie Unit Coordinator Tracy Hardie.
Tracy has worked with Echuca-based artist Alkina Edwards over the last few months to develop the designs, which will be unveiled at a dinner on Wednesday evening, ahead of the GVL’s Indigenous Round this weekend.
This is the first year the GVL will hold a whole league Indigenous round, which will coincide with NAIDOC Week.
Tracy said it had been a rewarding process to work through the designs with Alkina.
“The designs carry special meaning,” she said.
“They represent a storyboard across the GVL, a celebration of Aboriginal history and culture with a nod to specific areas.”
Specific areas featuring in the designs include the Campaspe River located near Rochester Football Netball Club and bushland surrounding the Shepparton Swans Football Netball Club.
"The round will have a significant impact in raising awareness, understanding and acknowledgement across the league, working together for a shared understanding creating a pathway for future generations. Indigenous players across the GVL will be celebrated for their achievements and we all need to walk with their fellow teammates and share the significance of NAIDOC and what it means to them every year."
Tracy Hardie, Koorie Unit Coordinator GOTAFE
The GVL’s Indigenous team apparel project is part of the Cultural Sporting Prevention Project.
GOTAFE is participating in several other NAIDOC Week activities throughout the week, including:
- Seymour NAIDOC Parade from 10.30am - 2pm on Wednesday 5 July;
- Dinner to celebrate launch of apparel at Sir Ian McLennan Centre on Wednesday 5 July;
- An afternoon tea at the Fryers Street, Shepparton Campus on Friday, 7 July;
- Supporting the VACCA Ovens Murray Wangaratta Community gathering at the Docker Street, Wangaratta campus on Sunday, 9 July; and
- Partnering with the Rural City of Wangaratta to hold a free screening of The Last Daughter at Docker Street on July 13.
To find out how you can support National NAIDOC Week, please visit https://www.naidoc.org.au.