IT may have gotten off to a chilly start but NAIDOC week in Swan Hill was a great success.
There were activities for all ages and everyone in the community.
After the official opening and smoking ceremony at Mallee District Aboriginal Services by Uncle Ricky Kirby, Swan Hill Council hosted a family day at the Swan Hill Lawn Tennis Club.
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee said it was important to celebrate the oldest continuing culture in the world, one that has been active for more than 60,000 years.
MDAS chief executive Darlene Thomas said it was important to acknowledge elders and what they fought for over the years.
Representatives from many organisations were on hand at the day to provide information, a sausage sizzle and activities for the kids.
Walkabout Barber was on hand providing free haircuts and beauty treatments.
One of the much-anticipated events of the week was the youth versus justice basketball match.
The NAIDOC Week committee lead basketball co-ordinator Djallarna Hamilton said the day was a way to build trust between youth and services.
“This is an annual event which has been happening for close to 15 years,” she said.
“It started as a way to build relationships between youth and justice staff, it used to just be the youth versus police game.
“It’s just a bit of a way for youth to be able to interact with these services in a positive way, and to build relationships within the community.
“The services also get the chance to work with Aboriginal children, and really move past any stigmas and stereotypes.”
Ms Hamilton said it was nice to see members of Swan Hill police enjoy their involvement in the day.
“It’s really good to see how excited the police are to be a part of it, they really get involved,” she said.
“It’s important to note that all of the prizes we have here today have been donated by local businesses.
“It’s not just the services and the Indigenous community in Swan Hill that are benefiting from today, it’s really the entire community.
“It’s really great to see everyone getting involved and supporting NAIDOC Week.“
As NAICOC Week started to wind down the elders lunch was held at the Swan Hill Racecourse Bowls Club.
Usually a morning or afternoon tea the event, it was changed to a lunch this year in honour of the theme “For Our Elders”.
Laurel Baxter, who represents the Koori Court division of the Swan Hill Magistrates Court, said that NAIDOC was pretty significant.
“The theme for this year is For Our Elders, so I thought it would be great to do something more than a morning tea,” Ms Baxter said.
“So we are having a sit down roast lunch.
“There was a welcome from the children, lunch, bingo and a few raffles with prizes donated by some great businesses around town.”
Stephanie Charles was attending the lunch and said it was very important to identify and embrace elders.
“It’s beautiful to this year have elders recognised and rightfully so,” she said.
