NAIDOC Week events in Melbourne

Mark the beginning of NAIDOC Week at Fed Square on July 3 with a flag raising ceremony, Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and a one-minute silence in honour of Aboriginal Elders who have passed to the dreaming. On July 7 from 3-6pm, enjoy an afternoon filled with live performances from leading Aboriginal musicians and entertainers (including Bumpy, Mitch Tambo, Tia Gostelow), plus a range of stalls offering deadly merch, traditional food and activities.

In 2002, 3CR began putting together a series of broadcasts called Beyond the Bars, which features stories, songs, opinions and poems from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inmates in Victorian prisons. Keep an eye on the site for when the 2023 offerings are released, and in the meantime, listen back over the last two decades worth of material. 

From June 28 to July 15, West End Art Space is exhibiting Reflections on Indigenous Landscape Photography. Entry is free, and it explores the captivating beauty and rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous landscape through the lens of two extraordinary artists: Tiffany Garvie and Alan Stewart.

The Shrine of Remembrance was built between 1927 and 1934 as a place for Victorians to grieve, honour and preserve the memories of those that had lost their lives in WWI. It now serves as a memorial to all Australians who served at war, and each year, you can attend a NAIDOC week event to honour the service of First Peoples to Australia's Armed Forces. From July 2 to 9, you can check out a free exhibition including photographs, videos, interviews and more. On July 2 from 4.45pm, you can participate in the Last Post Service event that will include a bugle call and piper, wreath-laying, recital of the Ode and lowering of the flags. 

On July 8, the annual NAIDOC Gala Ball is happening at the MCEC. On the night, you can expect a delicious three-course meal and an exceptional line-up of First Nations entertainers. This unforgettable evening of inspiration, unity and pride is all about coming together to celebrate the indomitable spirit of First Nations peoples and honour the Elders.

Creative Resistance by NGKM (a collective of First Nations women and trans diverse artists from across Victoria) is a newly commissioned work by the Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust as part of commitments made in its Reconciliation Action Plan. The forearm and basket symbolise the strength and creativity of Aboriginal women in South Eastern Australia who have supported families and communities through culture over tens of thousands of years. It's currently on display in the forecourt Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm.

The Koori Court was first established more than 20 years ago as a court for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to reflect cultural issues, promote community participation and enable culturally-informed decision making. On July 5 at the Wheelers Centre, join Koori Court Elder Uncle Walter Harrison, Supervising Magistrate of Koori Justice Rose Falla, County Koori Court Manager Terrie Stewart, plus host and CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Nerita Waight, for a conversation exploring the history and principles of the Koori Court. The one-hour session will also offer insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approaches to justice and the law. Find out more here.

Head to Trade Hall on July 5 at 7pm for an evening of big laughs with some of Victoria's funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander comedians. The deadly line-up features Janty Blair, Aden Hitchins, Tarsh Jago, Corey Saylor-Brunskilll and Kimmie Lovegrove. Find more information here.