Seymour and district residents are invited to celebrate NAIDOC Week events.
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of Indigenous history, culture and achievements, with events held across Australia from July 2 to 10.
In Strathbogie Shire, a film screening will be held at the Euroa Community Centre.
The cinema will screen indigenous documentary Ablaze, which is classified as PG, by Tiriki Onus and Alec Morgan on Saturday, July 2, at 7.30pm and Sunday, July 3, at 4pm.
Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Laura Binks said the council was proud to have strong links with First Nations people through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council.
“Last year we celebrated NAIDOC Week with a very special flag-raising ceremony after we were gifted the Taunugurng Sovereign Flag by the Taungurung People,” Cr Binks said.
“We are proud of our MoU which has been a valuable document to strengthen our relationship with the Taungurung people.”
Cr Binks encouraged the community to attend one of the free screenings of Ablaze.
“The film depicts the true story of the first Aboriginal filmmaker, William Bill Onus,” she said.
“It tells the story of the Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri man from Victoria, a truly heroic cultural and political figure who revived his people’s culture in the 1940s and ignited a civil rights movement that would, against enormous odds, change the course of history.”
Through rare archival footage, state-of-the-art animation, vividly created digital motion graphics and eye-witness accounts, Ablaze is the compelling tale of how Bill and supporters brilliantly orchestrated their campaign for equality through entertainment.
In Seymour, the Lower Hume Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Project will host a celebration at Kings Park on Thursday, July 7, from 11am to 2pm. The event will feature family-friendly activities, a barbecue lunch and stalls from local service providers.
Tickets for the free screening of Ablaze and can be booked at tinyurl.com/ablazenaidoc