A Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, storytelling and damper making will bring the Corangamite community together to celebrate NAIDOC Week this July.
Corangamite Shire will host a free community event at Wombeetch Puyuun Reconciliation Garden on Tuesday 7 July from 1.30-3.30 pm.
The afternoon will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, followed by a hands-on damper-making workshop. Participants will learn how Indigenous ingredients can be incorporated to add aroma and flavour.
Corangamite Shire Deputy Mayor Laurie Hickey said the event is a meaningful opportunity to recognise this year's NAIDOC theme, 50 Years of Deadly, and the culture, community and leadership it represents.
"This year's theme invites us to reflect on the stories, languages, art and strength that have shaped NAIDOC over the past 50 years, while looking ahead to the next chapter," Cr Hickey said.
"NAIDOC is more than a week of celebration. It is an opportunity to listen, learn and strengthen our shared commitment to reconciliation.
"We welcome people of all ages to join us at Wombeetch Puyuun Reconciliation Park for an afternoon grounded in culture and community."
The event will also include the launch of the Bush Kinder book, a resource developed by Corangamite Shire's Early Years team to support children participating in Bush Kinder activities.
Vicki Dobson, Coordinator Education & Care, said the Bush Kinder book is both an educational tool and a celebration of the program's impact.
"The book brings together images and prompts from the past 12 months that highlight how our Early Years Services, and the children, connect with Country," Mrs Dobson said.
"As part of our Bush Kinder program, we explore the idea of 'footprints' - that we take away memories and experiences and leave only footprints behind."
"We capture children's learning through photos, drawings and nature journals during each exploration session."
"This book showcases those learnings and will support both children and educators in our services for years to come."
Corangamite Shire is also supporting other local NAIDOC Week events, including the 9th annual Mt Leura and Mt Sugarloaf Management Committee celebration.
The community gathering will be held on Sunday 5 July from 11 am at the base of Mount Leura and will feature a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony delivered by local Kirrae Whurrung man Brett Clarke.
NAIDOC Week is held across Australia each July to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures, take part in local events and support community.
The 2026 theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks five decades of NAIDOC Week and recognises the strength, pride and resilience that have carried the movement forward. The theme reflects on the stories, languages, art, leadership and community action that have shaped NAIDOC, while looking to the next chapter of truth-telling, culture, identity and reconciliation.
