7-14 July 2024
Australia wide
Celebrations took place at the ministries of Mercy Partners to celebrate NAIDOC Week, 7-14 July 2024.
NAIDOC Week is held each year and celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australian to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.
Below are some of the NAIDOC Week celebrations that took place within our ministries.
All Hallows’ School
All Hallows’ School has embraced the spirit of NAIDOC Week, a time to honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Highlights of the week included an On-Country Day at Minjerribah where a group of students experienced the profound connection to land and culture on Minjerribah, Stradbroke Island and a presentation to Year 7 students by Lucas Proudfoot that offered an insightful look into Indigenous traditions and stories.
In addition, at a whole of school Assembly students and teachers gathered to celebrate and reflect on the significance of NAIDOC Week. By marking NAIDOC Week, All Hallows’ School commits to a journey of learning, respect, and solidarity, contributing to a more just and compassionate society.
Mercy Community
Mercy Community values NAIDOC Week and acknowledges it as an opportunity to strengthen and renew their understanding of and engagement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Mercy Community acknowledged the Elders, community members, stakeholders and colleagues who stand committed to the common goal of working together to support and strengthen families and communities. Mercy Community acknowledged that when there are workers and organisations that are culturally competent and on their journey of learning, this is where the best work that can happen – supporting vulnerable members of our community to not just being strong in culture, but to ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’
Mater
This NAIDOC Week, Mater were proud to introduce their newest Indigenous Liaison Officer, Grace Lingwoodock.
Grace joined the Mater Private Hospital Townsville team last month and is on a mission to provide culturally sensitive care for her mob. For Grace, National NAIDOC’s 2024 theme of “Keep the Fire Burning” signifies resilience and passing down Indigenous traditions. “One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of empathy and active listening. Whether in life or work, truly understanding and valuing the perspectives and experiences of others fosters stronger relationships, better decision-making, and a more inclusive and supportive environment.”
Mater physiotherapist Karyn Devlin is responsible for bringing glamour to the bush after she collected donations of ball gowns and suits for a glitzy NAIDOC week event in a remote Indigenous community.
Karyn, who is based at Mater Health Hub, Springfield, organised the clothing drive for The Remote Op Shop Project and her outfits were distributed to partygoers ahead of the NAIDOC ball in Urapunga, in the Northern Territory.
Having grown up in remote northwest Queensland, Karyn has a deep respect and interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, languages, art, song, and dance. “We can learn so much from these forms of artistic expression and storytelling,” she said. “As a nation, we are richer for this history and culture, and it is something we should be proud to celebrate every day – not only during NAIDOC Week.”
Mater’s Karyn Devlin collected ball gown and suit donations to support a glitzy NAIDOC week event in the NT.
Mater’s new latest Indigenous Liaison Officer, Grace Lingwoodock.
Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College
Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College students and staff joined in the celebrations of NAIDOC Week and recorded their celebrations in a video to be shared.
Mount Alvernia College
Staff and students from Mount Alvernia College joined in on the annual national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures. In celebration, the College offered the following prayer:
Loving God, you gave life to all of creation and continue to nurture it. Bless this country and all people who live here.
As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, we ask you to bless all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We thank you for their ancient wisdom and traditions and the cultural heritage that continues to enrich our nation.
Help us to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, so that we can foster a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples, are fully valued and respected.
Amen
St Patrick’s College
As part of the College’s 2024 NAIDOC celebrations, the College held a NAIDOC Community Celebration on Wednesday 7 August, featuring live music, dancing, market stalls, and a traditional family dinner. The evening was filled with joy, laughter, and a wonderful display of culture.
St Patrick’s College is very fortunate to be a College enriched with diverse backgrounds, allowing the community to come together and celebrate the precious culture and shared knowledge.
St Rita’ College
This year, the St Rita’s College celebrated NAIDOC week and were delighted to announce the engagement of Burrundi Design Studio to assist with a First Nations consultation for the College’s Master Plan, which included a Staff Workshop. Burrundi’s Theresa Bower developed a comprehensive First Nations Place Research Report to ensure that St Rita’s College undertakes necessary First Nations consultation for future architectural projects, master planning, curriculum, school events and initiatives.
St Rita’s College were also excited to announce that their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was approved and endorsed during NAIDOC week.
Principal Maree Trims and Theresa Bower with a copy of St Rita’s College Master Plan.
St Ursula’s College
St Ursula’s College celebrated NAIDOC Week with the official re-opening and blessing of their Yarning Circle and Darumbal Garden, held on Friday, 12 July. Special guests included Darumbal Elder, Uncle Billy Mann, Aunty Jo-Anne Mann, and Natalie Semple and Phillipa Johnson from Rockhampton Catholic Education Office. Year 9 student, Billie-Jo, welcomed all guests to Country, and College Assistant Principal – Mission and Identity, Kathy Strelow, led attendees in prayer. The College’s Community Support Officer, Katrina Whitham, explained the significance of a Yarning Circle and then invited Uncle Billy to bless the Yarning Circle and Darumbal Garden with a traditional Darumbal Smoking Ceremony. The event concluded with traditional dances and songs performed by First Nations students.
