Corroboree to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2017

Published on 26 June 2017

Sunraysia residents are encouraged to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2017 with a Corroboree on Mildura’s riverfront this Sunday, 2 July.

NAIDOC Week is a national event held in July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It does this through a raft of different events and activities in which the community is encouraged to participate, and this year Council and the Aboriginal Action Committee (AAC) have decided to do something special in the form of a Corroboree.

A Corroboree is a traditional Aboriginal singing and dance practice which brings people together and is seen as the ideal way to celebrate the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

This Sunday’s celebrations will run from 3pm to 7pm at Jaycee Park and feature cultural workshops, entertainment and food, including Johnny Cake-making, emu feather workshops, art stalls and native food tastings.

Mildura Mayor Glenn Milne encouraged the Sunraysia community to embrace NAIDOC Week and help celebrate the event this Sunday.

“This event is the perfect way to gain a much better understanding of the Aboriginal culture that is at the heart of our region,” Cr Milne said.

“By sharing in making traditional Aboriginal Johnny Cakes, sampling some native recipes and taking in a Corroboree, it’s a great opportunity to get to know our region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.”

Cr Milne said the event was also part of Council’s commitment to reconciliation through its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

“By celebrating NAIDOC Week in this way, we’re recognising and raising awareness of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and celebrations in the broader community,” he said. 

AAC Chair Trudy Rigney said Sunday’s event represented a unique way to introduce residents to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture.

“Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is beautiful and an integral part of our region’s history, and we are excited to be able to share it among the broader community,” Ms Rigney said.

“This Sunday’s event is not only a chance to recognise NAIDOC Week, but a unique opportunity for residents to immerse themselves in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.”

For more information contact Council’s Social Inclusion Officer on (03) 5018 8100.

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au