The Governor and Mr Howard hosted a reception to mark NAIDOC Week 2019 at Government House Victoria.
The Hon Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC hosted a reception to mark NAIDOC Week 2019 at Government House Victoria.
NAIDOC Week is held each year in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2019 theme for NAIDOC Week is Voice Treaty Truth, acknowledging the long history of the Indigenous languages of Australia:
The Indigenous voice of this country is over 65,000 plus years old.
They are the first words spoken on this continent. Languages that passed down lore, culture and knowledge for over millennia. They are precious to our nation. And with 2019 being celebrated as the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages, it’s time for our knowledge to be heard through our voice.
National NAIDOC Committee, 2019
In her address, the Governor acknowledged the many thousands of years of indigenous history on the land on which Government House was built, the hurt caused to Aboriginal communities after European settlement, and the need to move forward together:
“This year’s NAIDOC week theme incorporates not just the celebration of the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but also steps to be taken for a shared future.”
Over 500 representatives from a variety of community organisations attended the event at Government House.