Council worked in partnership with Grampians Community Health, Budja Budja Aboriginal Cooperative, Brambuk, and the National Film and Sound Archive to put together a diverse program of events to mark the week long occasion.

Celebrations were headlined by a free NAIDOC film night on Friday, July 11 at Stawell Health and Community Centre.

The major event showed two indigenous films, Mabo and Croker Island Exodus. Supper was also provided.

About 20 people attended the event which was opened by an Aboriginal elder performing a Welcome to Country. Both films were very moving and well received, they provoked some excellent conversations during supper.

Other events conducted throughout the week included flag raising ceremonies in both Stawell and Halls Gap. Both flag raising events were followed by a free morning tea.

The Stawell flag raising ceremony was attended by Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin, his colleagues and members of the community.

The flag raising ceremony at Budja Budja was also attended by Cr Erwin, with about 40 people, including members of the Aboriginal community and children on school holidays, making use of the facilities at Budja Budja.

Indigenous art was on display from Monday through to Friday at the Stawell Health and Community Centre, as well as the St Arnaud Library.

Cultural activities including boomerang throwing and painting, didgeridoo and artefact workshops, and bush tucker tasting were popular at Brambuk Cultural Centre for the whole week, providing great entertainment during the school holidays.

NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.