NAIDOC Week in Golden Plains

Cultural Heritage Talks with Bonnie Chew
Media Release
News

National NAIDOC Week will be held from 3 to 10 July. To celebrate National NAIDOC Week, Council will be hosting two Cultural Heritage Talks for community members from 12 to 2pm on Tuesday 28 June and Wednesday 6 July, at the Woady Yaloak Historical Society Offices, at The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
The Cultural Heritage Talks will be led by proud Wadawurrung woman Bonnie Chew and community members are invited to bring along any cultural artefacts or photographs for Bonnie to discuss or identify. A light lunch will also be provided. 

Bonnie is the director of Mirriyu Cultural Consulting with extensive knowledge in Mental Health First Aid, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management, Reconciliation Action Planning, Incarceration, Genealogy, Health and Education. 

She currently holds two Ministerial appointed positions, serving as an Indigenous Independent Prison Visitor and Indigenous Heritage representative of Victoria on the Victorian Public Records Advisory Council. More recently, Bonnie has become a Council Member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council. Bonnie is a proud Golden Plains Shire resident and lives in Haddon. 

Council will also be lighting up the Golden Plains Civic Centre throughout NAIDOC week. 

Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble encouraged the Golden Plains community to get involved in the Cultural Heritage Talks taking place as part of Council’s NAIDOC Week celebrations. 

“NAIDOC Week is a chance for Golden Plains residents to learn about First Nations cultures and histories. I encourage the community to embrace the opportunity to recognise the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at Council’s NAIDOC Week activities.”  

“NAIDOC week is a time to celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities, and Bonnie Chew is a great person to lead Council’s NAIDOC Week events. Bonnie brings with her a wealth of knowledge and I hope residents take this opportunity to learn about Wadawurrung history and heritage within Golden Plains.”  

The theme of National NAIDOC Week this year is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ 

Getting up, Standing Up and Showing Up can take many forms whether it’s seeking proper environment, cultural and heritage protections, constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism – we must do it together. 

The relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non Indigenous Australians needs to be based on justice, equity, and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights.

Golden Plains Shire Council is committed to reconciliation with its local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and in March 2021, Council endorsed its Draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Following engagement and approval from Reconciliation Australia, the final Reflect RAP will be presented to Council in the coming months.

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