Get up! Stand up! Show up! this NAIDOC Week

Published Jul 05 2022

National NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It’s an opportunity for all Australians to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s and participate in celebrating the oldest, living culture on earth.

This year’s theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for justice, recognition and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

There are lots of fantastic local events you can join around NAIDOC Week:

• 4 July – BBQ and Film Screening @ North Richmond Community Health
• 4-8 July – Virtual Indigenous Film Festival
• 2-8 July – Weaving workshops with Aunty Bronwyn Razem (There is also a pop-up shop and workshop space from a bunch of First Nations Women in North Melbourne over the next few weeks, supported by the Amber Days and Yarn Strong Sista Collective.)
• 7 July – BBQ @ Barrbunin Beek with Banyule Council

Check out the list of events right across Victoria here.

As a health provider with services and partnerships across Victoria, we have an important role to play in leading change across our community and being advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Merri Health is proud to deliver upstander training at local schools to help build a community of allies to call out racism.

Merri Health works with community members and has a deep commitment to listening to and being led by the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our reconciliation journey.

Reconciliation goes beyond this week. We have committed to 72 actions over the next two years in our new Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2023. This includes supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to “walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future”. It calls for a change to establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples voice to parliament enshrined in the constitution.

Merri Health support the call for Voice, Treaty and Truth in the Statement and we warmly encourage you to find out more about it and how you can support reconciliation.

Let’s all come together to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to promote connection, collective pride, and recognition.