Barwon Coast is encouraging Bellarine Peninsula residents to Get up, Stand up and Show up to acknowledge and support our local indigenous community, the Wadawurrung during NAIDOC Week.
Barwon Coast manages the coastal Crown Land reserves from Collendina, through Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads to the western end of 13th Beach and Breamlea. These coastal reserves are rich in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage with many sites of significance registered with Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
On Monday July 4, there will be a traditional Welcome to Country with didgeridoo playing and a smoking ceremony at Ocean Grove Spit.
“We celebrate NAIDOC Week to recognise this intrinsic connection to Country and acknowledge the contribution of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) who we work closely with to manage the land, water and built environments,” Barwon Coast CEO Gary McPike said.
“We are particularly excited about our partnership with the WTOAC which has been developing and strengthening over recent years. We currently meet together at least monthly, to assist with fulfilling the aspirations of the WTOAC Healthy Country Plan, ‘Paleert Tjaara Dja’.
“Our commitment to working collaboratively with the Wadawurrung is a fundamental focus of our own primary strategic planning document, the Barwon Coast Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2020-2025.
“This event is just one example of the positive and proactive ways that Barwon Coast engage with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.
“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for our coastal community to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrating the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. It is the perfect school holiday activity for the family, we hope to see as many people as possible attend the event”.
This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week is Get up! Stand up! Show up!
The celebration will be at Ocean Grove Spit, 18W Riverside – Barwon Riverside Campground East on July 4 at 10.30am.
