This years NAIDOC Week, which runs from July 4 – 11 includes the theme ‘Heal Country’ but locally celebrations are already underway.
Unfortunately for the second year running due to COVID, the annual local cultural and connectiveness walk hosted by local Indigenous group Many Mobs is unable to go ahead however the group have come up with a unique way to celebrate the week that will include everyone in the community.
“Due to COVID we will not hold the cultural and connectiveness walk which is a shame, but we hope this year’s events can have everyone in the community become involved,” Many Mobs Co-Founder Iris Troutman said.
“We would like to invite all to join the reconciliation week by placing your unique handprint somewhere in the local community and uploading a photo to Facebook with the hashtag #manymobshealinghands.
“We at Many Mobs are about connecting the community, no matter what culture or background you come from.
“Our aim always and especially during this years NAIDOC Week is to heal the land and one another with something as simple as a handprint and we hope this year the whole community gets behind the theme and comes together in unity.”
Many Mobs has also connected with the Rumbalara Football Netball Club for the NAIDOC Week celebrations, hoping to see unique handprints right across the region as well as connecting with the Jerilderie Hospital to host sessions similar to those hosted by Many Mobs.
As well as NAIDOC Week you can also take part in the Many Mobs group by joining in their Yarn-Up sessions on the second Tuesday of every month starting at 3pm, a time to get together for a yarn and cuppa.
“Many Mobs is a community group for all and we welcome anyone and everyone to come along and just have a yarn about anything and everything,” Iris said.
“It is also a great time to learn more about the Indigenous culture as the group is run by local Indigenous peoples.
“We are a community orientated organisation across the north and south sides of the Murray River and love to help connect all cultures and communities.
“Our next Yarn-up session will be at the Yarrawonga Health Clinical Education Centre on Tuesday, July 13 before our August one to be held on the 10th but we invite anyone to come along.”
For more information on the Yarn-Up sessions or Many Mobs in general, contact Iris on 0477 528 246 or by email at manymobsvichq@gmail.com.
If you are also interested in taking part in these sessions but are not able to physically make it, you can also join in via zoom.
