THE ARARAT Rural City Council reflect on NAIDOC Week 2021.
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NAIDOC Week is a national celebration held from July 4 to July 11.
It is a week dedicated to the celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Ararat Rural City Council mayor Jo Armstrong said it is important to reflect on this year's theme Heal Country.
"For our first Australians, the land and connection to Country has been forged over tens of thousands of years," she said.
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"The land is our source of food and inspiration. The story of how our original Australians learnt to live and prosper in this harsh and unforgiving continent, is the foundation of the collective Australian spirit of courage and resilience."
Cr Armstrong highlighted the importance of healing and reconciliation.
"By beginning the process of genuine reconciliation and forging new partnerships, we are all learning to look deeper and understand the stories that have been passed down for centuries," she said.
Ararat is also home to many unique and important landscapes.
"We are fortunate to have vast riches of local culture," Cr Armstrong said.
"Gariwerd features the most pristine rock art sites in Victoria; Lake Bolac is host to the iconic Eel Festival and has links to the Budj Bim Cultural landscape; and we are the home of Australian Rules Football, which was inspired by the traditional Marngrook game here in Moyston."
Greater Ararat celebrated Indigenous artwork throughout NAIDOC Week.
The Lake Bolac Information Centre is hosting the paintings of Sherry Johnstone, and Ararat Gallery TAMA is featuring the woven artwork of Tjunkaya Tapaya in its exhibition 'Obsessed: Compelled to make'.
Ararat Library is once again showcasing the works of First Nations authors this NAIDOC Week.
"NAIDOC Week is also a great time to take a walk on Country to celebrate and enjoy the natural wonders around us. What we share together is something we all should take pride in," Cr Armstrong said.
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