NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration and recognition of the history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It's also an opportunity for all Australians to learn about and participate in celebrations of the oldest continuous living cultures in the world.
As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
Staff and Youth Councillors were able to go to many of the local events, including the City's NAIDOC Flag-Raising, BDAC's NAIDOC Flag-Raising & Youth Awards, BDAC's NAIDOC Family Day and the launch of the 2025 Knuldoorong Art Exhibition.
In the City of Greater Bendigo, NAIDOC Week is a time for unity, truth-telling, and hope. The flags flying high symbolise our shared responsibility to walk alongside First Nations communities and listen to their voices. Flag raising is more than a ceremony, it’s a commitment. As a Youth Councillor, I stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their ongoing fight for recognition, rights, and reconciliation.
One of the highlights for us is supporting the winners of the Koorie Youth Flick Fest each year to attend a special screening of their films on the big screen at Fed Square, and this year was no different! On Tuesday July 8th, we accompanied this year's winners, Terri Flaherty and Cohen Barker down to Wurundjeri country where we sat together to watch their films and had a celebratory lunch. You can read more about the Koorie Youth Flick Fest and this year's winners in this article, and watch their films on the City's Youtube account.
Shout-out to the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee in puling together an amazing program of events yet again! We would also like to recognise the well-deserved winners of the 2025 BDAC NAIDOC Youth Awards. Congratulations!
Happy NAIDOC Week to all.