NAIDOC Week 2023
NAIDOC Week will be from 2-9 July, with a lot of activity planned at Fed Square, celebrating First Nations culture and histories. This year’s theme is ‘For Our Elders’, highlighting the important role that Elders play in community and culture, as holders of cultural knowledge.
30 June–9 July | Swanston Street Forecourt
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation invite you to join them as they honour the legacy and stories of their Ancestors past bringing together a public portrait installation on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River).
1–19 July & 21 August–3 September, 5pm–7pm | Big Screen
Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the hidden depths of a microscopic world with Maree Clarke’s captivating video artwork on the Big Screen.
2–9 July, 7pm–9pm | Big Screen
Murnong is an ongoing audio-visual project, started in 2021 when artist Tahlia Palmer received a gift of yam daisy seeds. The artwork will be shown on the Big Screen during NAIDOC Week.
Mon 3 July, 8am–9.30am | Swanston St Forecourt
The annual Flag Raising Ceremony officially marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week in Victoria. It brings members of the community together to publicly commemorate the importance of NAIDOC week.
4–6 July, 12pm & 3pm | Big Screen
Experience the power of storytelling and celebrate Indigenous culture at the Koorie Youth Film Festival. The winning films will be shown on the Big Screen at Fed Square during NAIDOC Week.
Fri 7 July, 3pm–6pm | Main Square
Following the annual NAIDOC March, NAIDOC in the City is an exciting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and talents. In addition to live performances and entertainment, there will also be a range of stalls to explore, offering merch, traditional food and activities.
Koorie Heritage Trust Celebrates NAIDOC Week
Wed 5 July, 11am–2pm | Free
Join artist Dr Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung), for a free school holiday family workshop. Learn about the significance of the murnong daisy within Victorian Aboriginal culture and create your own murnong daisy necklace.
Thu 6 July, 11am–1pm | Free
This workshop is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only. Join Bernadette Atkinson (Yorta Yorta) in a Marngrook making workshop. Make an authentic possum pelt ball using traditional techniques in a culturally safe space. All materials and tools provided.
Fri 7 July, 11am–2pm | Free
Join Bronwyn David (Palawa-Tebrikunna) to make your own fun and unique earrings. Make one pair of interchangeable hoops with multiple layers.
Sat 8 July, 10am–1pm | Free
Join Donna Blackall (Yorta Yorta) to learn the craft of traditional coil weaving with natural materials to create a small basket or object.
Sat 8 July, from 11am | Free
Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) invites First Nations community members to join them for a morning of activities hosted by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and the KHT. Meet at KHT for a tour of the current exhibition Second Skin: Essence of Country and then there will be an opportunity to view key Collection items on display. You’ll then go to visit the NGVA for a tour with their curators of Indigenous art. Morning tea provided. This is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders community members only.
Big Esso by Mabu Mabu Celebrates NAIDOC Week
Sat 8 July, 10.30pm–3am | Big Esso by Mabu Mabu
Join Big Esso by Mabu Mabu for the NAIDOC Ball After Party. Doors will be open to everyone who is keen to keep the party going. They’ll be shaking up native cocktails and serving a variety of tapas whilst DJ Jasmine Collins spins the decks. Come dance the night away and celebrate their community. Bookings not required.
ACMI Celebrates NAIDOC Week
7–9 & 14–16 July, various times | ACMI
In Rachel Perkin’s atmospheric follow-up to 1998’s Radiance, a young girl climbs out of her window and disappears into the night. Filmed to stunning effect on Adnyamathanha land in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, and adapted from a true story dating back to the early 1930s, One Night the Moon takes the form of a lyrical and atmospheric bush operetta to tell a tale of enchantment, tragedy and clashing worldviews.
Image Credit: One Night the Moon © MagicRealityMedia (2001)
Daily, 10am–5pm | ACMI
Arrernte and Southern Luritja artist Sally M Nangala Mulda and Arrernte and Western Arrarnta artist Marlene Rubuntja recount their intertwining journeys of friendship and resilience in the Central Desert encompassed through videos, soft sculptures and painting with the centrepiece, Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls. Delve into the reality of First Nations peoples’ experiences in Central Australia.
Image Credit: Still from ‘Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls’ (2023)
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia Celebrates NAIDOC Week
8 July, 10am–3pm | The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Enjoy a day of free live music, performances, film screenings, art demonstrations, workshops, tours and drop-by drawing for all ages.
Image credit: Peter Waples-Crowe Ngaya (I Am) 2022 (still); single-channel video installation. Commissioned by ACMI. Courtesy of the artist© Peter Waples-Crowe and ACMI