We’re celebrating National NAIDOC Week from 6-13 July by sharing the stories and achievements of First Nations People.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations peoples, culture and history and gives everyone a chance to participate in celebrations of the oldest continuing living cultures.
Storytelling is at the heart of First Nations culture – a powerful way to share history, knowledge and connection to country.
We’ve recently added special books to our collections at Maternal and Child Health centres, featuring traditional children’s stories translated into the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung language by Elder Aunty Gail Smith. These books are also available to read at our local libraries.
Bulleen Library will also be celebrating NAIDOC Week with a school holiday cultural experience for children – Aboriginal Storytelling Through Art – on Thursday 10 July. Bookings essential.
Don’t miss the final week of our free exhibition, Painted Country, featuring the works of five First Nations artists at the Manningham Art Gallery and closes on Saturday 12 July.
The artists – Nellie Ngampa Coulthard, Brenda Napaltjarri, Clara Napurrula, Rene Sundown and Adrian Jurra Tjungurrayi – share their unique depictions of the Australian landscape in their stunning paintings.
The senior and emerging artists represent two Indigenous arts centres – Iwantja Arts in South Australia and Papunya Tula Artists in the Northern Territory.
We’ve recently acquired three new works by First Nations artists to add to our art collection and they can be viewed at the gallery. These are Tears of the Djulpan, 2023, by Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu featuring natural earth pigments on stringbark Eucalyptus with custom metal brace, Deceased Estate, 2024, a charcoal and acrylic binder on hessian by Matthew Harris, and Yarringa, 2023, an etched steel panel by Barayuwa Munungurr.
We’re committed to being an inclusive and connected community and recognise that local government has a key role to play in reconciliation.
Our work is guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan, which has been developed in partnership with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Corporation and local First Nations people.
Find out more about First Nations history and reconciliation in Manningham.
