Published on 08 July 2022
NAIDOC Week 2022 was Mansfield Shire’s biggest yet with a week of free events throughout the town celebrating the national week of recognition.
Mansfield Shire Council partnered with Taungurung Land & Waters Council and Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network to design and deliver the program.
NAIDOC Week celebrations commenced with an official flag raising, smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country on Sunday 3 July with Aunty Bernadette Franklin at the Visitor Information Precinct. This was well attended with over 70 people participating in the cleansing smoking ceremony and welcome to country from Aunty Bernadette. This was followed by an Indigenous ingredient inspired morning tea with Megan Knapp of The Kitchen Door, featuring a special NAIDOC Coffee blend from Merchant Coffee Roasters which was enjoyed by 50 guests at the MACE building.
Mayor Cr James Tehan said NAIDOC provided the opportunity to consider how we can take action to improve relationships and recognise the importance of our cultural heritage.
“It was a privilege to speak at the official flag raising event and be part of a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of First Nations peoples,” said Cr Tehan.
“Council hosted a wealth of completely booked out events throughout the week, from art workshops to storytime, a screening of The Sapphires at the Mansfield Armchair Cinema, to indigenous music, interviews and even a play hosted by Mansfield Community Radio during the week. This demonstrates that our community wants to participate, celebrating and learning all that is shared with us by our local Taungurung people.”
Other key events during the week included a storytime reading of 5 indigenous stories to 30 children by Gadhaba chair Miranda Connaughton, workshops by Cassie Leatham and Aunty Jo Honeysett and Art exhibitions from Luruk-In and Jack Macale.