Baw Baw Shire celebrates NAIDOC Week

Community events are being held all over Baw Baw Shire to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.
NAIDOC Week started on Sunday and will continue until July 10 and as part of the celebrations, Baw Baw Shire Council and the West Gippsland Arts Centre (WGAC) will host a number of exciting events.
Drouin's Lionel Rose Jr is involved in delivering several community events throughout the week, he said he is looking forward to being able to celebrate without pandemic-related restrictions.
"With the disruptions of Covid-19 over the past two years impacting celebrations, we are excited to be able to gather together and celebrate as a group and showcase our culture with the wider community," Mr Rose said.
On Sunday, a free community screening of ABLAZE will be held at the WGAC at 3 pm. The film follows the true story of the first Aboriginal filmmaker William Bill Onus.
Additional the Three Women on Kurnai Country Creative Corner will be open all week at the WGAC for people to learn about the sculpture set to be installed in Drouin.
On Thursday a free community screening of Wash My Soul in the River's Flow will be held at WGAC at 6pm. It is a celebration of the lives of artists Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.
From 11am to 2.30pm on Friday Bellbird Park Indoor Centre will host mini-games of dodgeball and basketball, an official basketball game made up of teams of Traditional Owner youth, Victoria Police and Baw Baw Shire Council staff, and a free community BBQ.
On Friday Xavier Rudd will also be performing for his Jan Juc Moon Tour at the Art Centre from 8pm, for which tickets can be purchased on the WGAC website. Support act Marlon x Rulla will be joining him. They are a First Nation duo who have opened for Midnight Oil at WOMADelaide, rocking Bass in the Grass in Darwin, and Party in the Apocalypse in Tasmania.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Michael Leaney said the Council is proud to partner will the local community to deliver the activities and events.
"I encourage the Baw Baw Shire community to come along and join in the celebrations happening throughout NAIDOC Week 2022," he said.