NAIDOC Week honours the rich and diverse culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the oldest continuous living culture on the planet. This year’s event is inspired by the theme “Voice, Treaty, Truth”. The Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old. They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia. They are precious to our nation.

It’s that Indigenous voice that includes know-how, practices, skills and innovations - found in a wide variety of contexts, such as agricultural, scientific, technical, ecological and medicinal fields, as well as biodiversity-related knowledge. They are words connecting us to country, an understanding of country and of a people who are the oldest continuing culture on the planet.

To celebrate NAIDOC Week the Taungurung Lands and Water Council have collaborated with the Y Water Discovery Centre in Yea to present an exciting program of exhibitions and workshops. The Taungurung are the Traditional Owners of a large part of central Victoria including the Yea region.

Workshops will feature Taungurung women, Angela ten Buuren (Franklin) and Cassie Leatham, who will impart their knowledge of indigenous plants and traditional uses.

Kids won’t miss out, with a school holiday art activity to be held on Wednesday 10 July with artist Cassie Leatham and a storytime session on Saturday 13 July with Taungurung Elder Uncle Larry Walsh.

The program includes:

Sunday 7 - Sunday 14 July, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Celebrating Taungurung Culture An exhibition curated by Taungurung woman Angela ten Buuren

Wednesday 10 July, 10:00am to 11:30am

School Holiday art activities with Taungurung artist Cassie Leatham

Wednesday 10 July, 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Medicinal and traditional uses of Aboriginal plants session with Cassie Leatham

Saturday 13 July, 10:00am and 2:00pm

Walk in the Wetlands and a Taste of Taungurung

Angela ten Buuren discusses traditional uses of indigenous plants

Saturday 13 July 12noon - 2.00pm

BBQ. Enjoy kangaroo burgers and kangaroo sausages

Saturday 13 July, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Story Time with Taungurung Elder Uncle Larry Walsh

Sunday 14 July - 11.00am

Taungurung Land & Waters Council CEO, Matthew Burns talks treaty. What does Treaty mean? What does Treaty look like?

Proudly supported by Taungurung Land & Waters Council, Murrindindi Shire Council, Y Water Discovery Centre, Yea Wetlands Committee of Management

Book online at www.trybooking.com/BDHOF or call the Y Water Discovery Centre (03) 5797 2663