Both of SuniTAFE’s campuses hosted their annual NAIDOC celebrations this month. This year’s NAIDOC theme was ‘For Our Elders.’ 

Mildura’s Dulka Yuppata Indigenous Training Centre hosted an event on 20 July. 
The event was opened with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, followed by traditional welcome dances by Mildura Primary School students. 

Awards were presented to students for Resilience, Leadership, and Respect. 

Community appreciation awards were also presented to those who performed or helped to organise the event. 

Elders, community members, students, and staff were all invited to share some Kangaroo Stew and Johnny cakes. They were also given the opportunity to participate in the many activities planned for the day, including face painting, air-dry clay, jewellery making, a smoothie bike, banner painting, Elders tree, and traditional games. 

Key services within the community were also present to provide information and advice, including Australian Unity, La Trobe University, Services Australia, Mallee District Aboriginal Services, and the Skills and Jobs Centre. 

The celebration was well attended, and the Dulka Yuppata team were very happy with how the event turned out.  

“I am proud of how community came together as one and enjoyed each other’s company,” Koorie Liaison Officer Eilene Mitchell said. 

“The activities organised by the students were deadly. It was a great turn out and an amazing day.”
Swan Hill’s Telkaya Centre hosted their own celebration on 13 July. Student artworks were displayed proudly during a morning tea. 

This event was also well attended. The organisers were pleased to welcome the Director of Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery Ian Tully on campus to view the student artworks. 

Koorie Student Support Officer Kokwan Wapau enjoyed the celebration and was impressed by the high level of community engagement.

“Our Aboriginal Elders numbered 5 at Telkaya’s 2023 NAIDOC event. Attendees also included representatives from MDAS, local employment agencies, and Headspace. We even had an impromptu Didgeridoo performance by one of our senior male Aboriginal customers who travelled from Nyah West to attend our function,” Kokwan said. 

“The Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts (CUA20420) students were actively engaged with guests in discussing differing artistic methodologies of the artworks on display.”
“Overall, it was a most satisfying event. The best yet!”

Click here to read more about SuniTAFE’s Dulka Yuppata and Telkaya Centres.