In celebration of national NAIDOC Week, Ararat Rural City Council is inviting the community to a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony facilitated by Eastern Maar member Billy Briggs.

The event will be on Thursday, July 9 from 2-3pm in the Ararat Gallery TAMA courtyard, with an afternoon tea to follow in the gallery’s studio.

Entry to the event is free, with bookings requested to help plan catering via Ararat Gallery TAMA’s website at www.ararat
gallerytama.com.au.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026.

Ararat Mayor Bob Sanders said the week served as an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations history and participate in celebrations of one of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

Titled ‘50 Years of Deadly’, this year’s NAIDOC Week theme pays tribute to the movement’s pioneers.

Cr Sanders said it was a time to reflect on five decades of stories, marches, language preservation, art and leadership.

“National NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity to recognise the profound contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.

“It invites all of us to honour their deep cultural heritage and renew our shared commitment to reconciliation and unity. 

“Council proudly supports NAIDOC week as a time for community-wide learning, reflection and respect for First Nations stories and achievements.”

Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-Operative and Barengi Gadjin Land Council have partnered for a jam-packed week of NAIDOC celebrations across Horsham and Stawell, from July 6 to 10. 

People can find out more and register for events at www.goolumgoolum.org.au/campaigns.

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