Council celebrates NAIDOC Week
Strathbogie Shire Council commemorated NAIDOC Week with a flag raising ceremony of the Taungurung sovereign flag which was kindly gifted to Council.
The event was held at Council’s offices in Euroa and included a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country conducted by Uncle Shane Monk from the Taungurung Land and Waters Council.
Celebrations were followed by a morning tea and a free screening for ‘My Name is Gulpilil’ at the Euroa Community Cinema.
NAIDOC Week is held from July 4 to 11 this year with the theme Heal Country and commemorating the week is important to Strathbogie Shire Council.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said the flag raising ceremony was a simple gesture Council could take to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage.
“The flag is the first sovereign flag design representing the region and the Taungurung people in Victoria,” Cr Raeburn said.
“It is important for Council to take this opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
The celebration comes at a time Strathbogie Shire Council is developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Taungurung people.
“Our aim is to protect our region’s important cultural heritage,” Cr Raeburn said.
“Developing a MoU is essential to strengthening the relationship with our First Nations peoples and the Traditional Owners of Taungurung Country.
“An MoU will govern the interactions between Council and the Taungurung Land and Waters Council and build practical and mutually respectful and beneficial connections.”
Council is currently seeking the community’s input into the principles of the MoU as well as a new Acknowledgement to Country for Council to use at all official meetings and events and in Council documents.
Community members can provide feedback by visiting https://share.www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/taungurung-mou
