Njernda held its annual NAIDOC morning tea on Monday morning, with guests braving the cold to celebrate the start of the week together.
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Representatives from Victoria Police, Parks Victoria, Campaspe Shire Council, Murray River Council, Anglicare, Headspace, Mind Australia, Echuca Regional Health and many others gathered to mark the occasion.
Uncle Rick Ronan led guests in a Welcome to Country before Njernda chief executive John Mitchell took the chance to highlight the significance of NAIDOC Week and to thank those who had attended.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell also shared a few words about the importance of NAIDOC to the council and the community.
“Thank you for welcoming us on to Country today... it’s because of your strength that we’re able to stand here together, learn together and keep moving forward together,” he said.
“NAIDOC Week is a special time to gather. It gives us the chance to listen, talk, yarn, learn and connect.
“As a council, we know we have more work to do. We want to keep listening and walking alongside all First Nations peoples in our region to build a future that’s fairer, more truthful and built on genuine partnerships.”
Sisters Kristie and Lynn Hearn then raised the Aboriginal flag, before guests were invited to take part in a smoking ceremony led by Uncle Rick.
Once the formalities concluded, attendees made their way to the courtyard, where a morning tea made by the Njernda team was set out.
Njernda representative Uncle Keith Hearn said the event, and NAIDOC Week, was all about engaging with one another.
“NAIDOC has always been a celebration for us... we love the support, as you can see looking around at all the people that we have here,” he said.
“We want to open our doors and for people to actually realise that we're part of the community, we're not going anywhere, and we're going to be here for another 50 years. I think that's what's really important. That's why we keep doing what we're doing.
“So as Njernda, we'll continue doing this whether we get five people here or 500 people here. It's not about a numbers' thing — it's about that continuation of engagement.”
NAIDOC Week began on Sunday, July 7 with local events happening all week to the theme of ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy’.
On Tuesday, there will be ‘Elders’ Bingo’, a chance to celebrate Elders’ contributions while reliving the once-popular bingo events that used to happen in Echuca 30 years ago.
At night, it will be all about the youth as they take over the St Andrew’s Hall for a youth disco, celebrating culture and heritage through music, dance and food.
Njernda will not be hosting any events this Wednesday as they head over to Barmah for Dharnya Day, to connect with Country through storytelling, traditional practices and activities.
The day will include dancing, live music, stalls, food and activities for children.
To finish off NAIDOC Week, Njernda will be hosting a Men’s Day on Thursday, which will include a handball competition, bean bag board competition, table yarning circles and bingo.
A Women’s Day will also be happening simultaneously, which will feature a pamper station, cultural activities, door prizes and a catered lunch.
While Friday, July 11 is a public holiday for all Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, including Njernda, the community is invited to make the trip to Melbourne for the annual NAIDOC march.