Celebrating NAIDOC Week

A cultural taste of First Nations ingredients will be used to create afternoon teas at all Uniting AgeWell residential sites in celebration of NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week runs from July 2-9 and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s theme is ‘For our Elders’ which champions the important role Elders have played and continue to play, in our communities.

The Hotel Services Manager Tasmania Craig Gleeson, suggested a smorgasbord of recipes which he sent to the chefs for their special magic touch and adaptation, using bush food such as myrtle and macadamia nuts.

Director Hotel Services Doug Gillan says the chefs are all highly creative, and is looking forward to seeing what they concoct with their own special dishes or variations of these suggestions. He also hopes this becomes an annual event, with lunches held next year and dinners the year after.

The tasting is a way to open conversations to foster greater understanding and increase awareness of the history and culture of First Nations people among the residents. Lifestyle program activities will also focus on NAIDOC Week.

The NAIDOC Week Poster by Kariyarra Country (Port Hedland) artist Bobbi Lockyer will be displayed at our sites as another prompt for conversation. Bobbi says the poster showcases how important our Elders are in passing down traditions and culture to our children and future.”

Our home care teams will be holding team conversations about how we can better support First Nations people in provision of service, while all staff are invited to participate in a special online presentation with Rhys Paddick, Yamatji, Budimia, Noongar Australian and Co-Founder and Director of Acknowledge This! Rhys will provide insights on how we can connect and engage with our First Nations people.