On behalf of the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network
Bass Coast Reconciliation Network wishes everyone a happy NAIDOC and encourages everyone to consider this year's theme of Heal Country! - which calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
NAIDOC Week 2021 will be held from Sunday 4 July to Sunday 11 July and invites the nation to embrace First Nations' cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.
"Country is more than a place and inherent to our identity," says the National NAIDOC Committee.
"Country that we speak about like a person, sustaining our lives in every aspect - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally."
Bass Coast Reconciliation Network is made up of members from Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Health, Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bunurong Land Council, Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members.
"During NAIDOC, we are proud to be supporting the wonderful Indigenous Art Exhibition at ArtSpace in Wonthaggi which runs until Sunday 18 July. The exhibition is curated and run by Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group who are Network members and is a wonderful showcase of the talent in Bass Coast," said Patrice Mahoney OAM, Bass Coast Shire Council Aboriginal Development Officer.
"The Network had also planned to hold the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation during NAIDOC, but instead have chosen the new date of Wednesday 4 August at 11am - 2pm which is also National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day. This date will enable school and broader community participation," Ms Mahoney said.
