30 June, 2017

NAIDOC Week comes to Rundle Mall

This year for the first time in its history, NAIDOC Week is coming to Rundle Mall.

A free family event will be held under the Gawler Place canopy between 11am and 2pm on Tuesday 4 July featuring live performances, weaving workshops, delicious food created using Australian native ingredients and guest appearances from our best loved local AFL and SANFL identities.

City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, the Honourable Kyam Maher MLC, will officially open the event by unveiling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and decorative installation pieces inspired by this year’s theme, ‘Our Languages Matter’.

“NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by all Australians,” said Lord Mayor Haese.

“Bringing NAIDOC Week to Rundle Mall, one of the city’s busiest areas, provides a great opportunity for everyone to participate in a range of activities and to support our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“I encourage everyone to come along on Tuesday to get involved in the workshops, watch the performances, and try some native foods as we celebrate NAIDOC Week.”

Minister Maher said that the events in Rundle Mall would provide another way for South Australians to learn about Aboriginal culture and spread the message of reconciliation. “NAIDOC Week came about following many years of campaigning for equal rights for all Australians as well as recognition of the history of how this country was settled,” Minister Maher said.

“The week and the events in the Mall present a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate that Australia is home to the world’s oldest living culture – a fact of which we should all be very proud.”

An important part of the event will be the unveiling of the banners and footpath artwork which will promote cultural awareness and pride throughout NAIDOC Week.

Rundle Mall Management Authority General Manager Amanda Grocock said, “Rundle Mall is very proud to be part of NAIDOC Week this year.

“The Mall is a welcoming and inclusive place for all and the artwork will promote cultural awareness and build on cultural pride in the heart of the city.”

Other NAIDOC Week events include the Lord Mayor’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flag Raising Ceremony and NAIDOC SA Awards which will take place on Monday 3 July.

The Town Hall will also play host to Vincent Namatjira’s latest exhibition ‘The Prime Ministers’ until 28 July as part of the City of Adelaide’s Emerging Curator program.

To find out more about NAIDOC Week activities, please visit www.naidoc.org.au

Paula Stevens