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Benalla, AU

November 5, 2024

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Gallery | Seymour celebrates NAIDOC Week

By Faith Macale

Jul 11, 2024

A bright and sunny morning prevailed in Seymour just in time for the NAIDOC Week Parade. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

The Seymour community gathered at Goranwarrabul House to celebrate NAIDOC Week, starting with a smoking ceremony lead by Elders Aunty Joanne Honeysett and Uncle Shane Monk.

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It was followed by a parade, with walkers stopping at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk to lay a wreath for fallen First Nation soldiers who fought in the war.

The festivities continued at Kings Park where different stalls were available, as well as free sausages, ice creams and even shirts to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

The Telegraph’s Faith Macale popped along and took these photos of the day:

Peter and Charlotte Ivory give out free ice creams for NAIDOC Week. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Yorta Yorta artist Liss Cowan makes Aboriginal dolls in Indigenous clothing. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Wangkumarra artist Sheldon Smith showcases his artworks at the NAIDOC Event at Kings Park, Seymour. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Anne Burns, Aunty Joanne Nicholson and Ruby Livesey march at the parade waving the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Members from Goulburn Options at the NAIDOC Week celebrations in Seymour. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Kids from One Tree Defence Childcare Unit Puckapunyal joined in on the festivities for NAIDOC Week. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Kids from One Tree Defence Childcare Unit Puckapunyal and GoodStart Early Learning centre lay a wreath with Bobbie Pepper. Photo: Supplied Photo by Faith Macale

Aunty Joanne Honeysett and Uncle Shane Monk begin the smoking ceremony donned in their possum-skin cloaks. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Community members come closer as Aunty Joanne Honeysett’s ‘wawa biik’ echoes in the bright morning air. Wawa biik means ‘Hello country’ in Taungurung language. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Smoke billows at Goranwarrabul House during the smoking ceremony. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Community members cleanse their feet at the smoking ceremony. It is said that cleansing the feet is important because they are what connect us to the earth, and cleansing wards off bad spirits. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags flutter high and proud during NAIDOC Week in Seymour. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

The parade stops at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk to honour fallen Indigenous soldiers. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

A wreath was laid at the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk in honour of fallen Indigenous soldiers. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Mitchell Shire community development officer – arts and culture Ange Stock creates a masterpiece where everyone can paint on the canvas. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Buk Ngarrgi Biik’s Aunty Michelle Monk, Ruby Honeysett and Kelly Hamhill deliver beautiful performances of Seven Sisters, Bunjil Creation and Taungurung Family. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

The audience is enthralled by the Buk Ngarrgi Biik performance. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

The SEED Project’s Sam Hugill and Renae Costantini at the NAIDOC Week event in Kings Park. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Goranwarrabul House is decorated with red, black and yellow balloons in celebration of NAIDOC Week. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Uncle Shane Monk explains the significance of the smoking ceremony in First Nations culture. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

Uncle Shane Monk and Aunty Joanne Honeysett are the first to cleanse at the smoking ceremony. Photo: Faith Macale Photo by Faith Macale

By Faith Macale

Cadet journalist

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