Join in with NAIDOC Week celebrations in 2024
Activities celebrating the Murraylands’ original inhabitants will be held around the region during the next week.
Hundreds of locals will walk across the old Murray Bridge next Monday morning for NAIDOC Week celebrations.
The walk will start on the east side, below the RSL, at 9.30am and flow through town to the local government centre, where an award ceremony will take place from 10am.
It will be one of several events around the Murraylands to honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year’s theme, “keep the fire burning: blak, loud and proud”, invites the nation to reflect on the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.
Fire is a symbol of connection to country and to each other.
While NAIDOC Week itself will run from July 7-14, celebrations started early in the Coorong district this year, with events at Coomandook last Friday and Tailem Bend on Monday of this week.
Events at Tintinara, Mannum, Meningie and Victor Harbor will follow this Wednesday and Thursday.
Coming up are:
- An elders lunch and Points versus Rovers football match at Le Messurier Oval, Murray Bridge from 12-2pm this Sunday, July 7
- The bridge walk and awards, starting at 9.30am next Monday, July 8 at the east end of the old Murray Bridge and continuing at Murray Bridge council office
- A family fun day at Murray Bridge Showground from 10am-2pm next Wednesday, July 10, including a three-on-three basketball competition
- A darts competition and barbecue at Murray Bridge Darts Club from 5-9pm next Friday, July 12
The Murray Bridge council also suggested it would organise a storytelling session at Murray Bridge Library, exploring cultural themes, at a time and date to be confirmed.
Two ongoing art exhibitions in the region showcase Indigenous creativity, too.
Murray Bridge Regional Gallery is showcasing its Ngarrindjeri art collection and an exhibition from the National Museum of Australia, Red Heart of Australia, until July 28.
In the Coorong Gallery a new exhibition featuring contemporary works from Kath Moore, a Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna artist from Adelaide, are on display.
Moore said she got her inspiration from her nan, Doris Kropinyeri, who grew up on the mission at Raukkan; stories of the Ngarrindjeri people; and her own story.
“When you purchase a piece of my art, you are taking home a piece of my culture to share with your family and friends,” she said.
Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley said the week would be a great opportunity to participate in different activities and support the First Nations community.
“Learn the history, celebrate the achievements and reflect on one of the oldest living cultures on our planet,” he said.
“The annual walk across the bridge is symbolic of bridging the divide between cultures … together we work towards healing.”
- More information: Visit www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au or www.coorong.sa.gov.au.
Stories create community. Help Murray Bridge News tell our community’s stories by subscribing today.
