Keeping Country company during NAIDOC Week

It was a particularly special NAIDOC Week celebration for Gabrielle Ebsworth.

“I’m a proud Wangkumara and Barkindji woman. I’m also really proud to stand here today as a native title holder,” she told FW’s NAIDOC Week breakfast in Melbourne on Wednesday. “The Wangkumara people got our native title last week.”

The room erupted in applause. It was an emotional start to a morning where connection to the land was a thread woven through each of the yarns that were shared.

GABRIELLE EBSWORTH IS DRESSED BY WITCHERY IN THEIR HIGH NECK KNIT DRESS AND ADRIANA HEEL

Associate Professor Shawana Andrews, the Director of the Poche Centre Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne, shared how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD students and graduates are “raising expectations of how we understand the world around us”.

“Their research is about revitalising culture, caring for Country, understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. It’s resistance through research, and it’s Blak.”

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SHAWANA ANDREWS IS DRESSED BY WITCHERY, SHOWCASING THEIR BLUE OVERSIZED SHIRT AND EXPOSED DART PANT

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, the ACT’s inaugural Commissioner of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, shared the importance of sharing love of Country with the next generation. The proud Bundjalung and Widubul-Wiabul woman recounted how, earlier that week, she held a healing ceremony at her two-year-old daughter’s school.

“Every time that we speak our language, we are connecting to the land and we’re connecting to Country, because Country always needs our company.”

“I sat with over 30 Indigenous and non-Indigenous children all from different backgrounds as they listened respectfully, and deeply like nothing I’ve seen before. They were connected, because I offered this connection. And when you choose to pay respects and connect to the land you’re on, things begin to align,” she said.

VANESSA TURNBULL-ROBERTS WEARS WITCHERY’S PLEAT DETAIL PANT AND CAMEL DOUBLE-BREASTED BOXY BLAZER WITH THE HIGH NECK KNIT BODYSUIT AND ADRIANA HEEL

“We shared what it meant to keep Country company right now. And every time that we speak our language, we are connecting to the land and we’re connecting to Country, because Country always needs our company,” she said.

“Country is not just a spiritual notion. It’s a physical place of protection, revitalisation, rejuvenation, and coming together. It starts with our children. And if I’m honest, as a mum, there is no greater joy than in showing that my daughter, and all her little friends and community are invited to a space where we can learn together.”

Turnbull-Roberts praised the fire she sees in the children and young people of today. Reflecting on the theme for NAIDOC Week 2024, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, she encouraged the audience to do their part to ensure that fire is not put out.

APRYL DAY IS DRESSED BY WITCHERY WEARING THEIR SINGLE-BREASTED BLAZER, WITH THE HIGH NECK KNIT BODYSUIT, WAIST DETAIL PANT PAIRED WITH THEIR ADRIANA HEEL

Apryl Day, whose mother Tanya died in police custody in 2017, shared her own “deeply personal” connection to the theme.

“It reminds me of my childhood, my present and my future. It is not just a celebration. But it also stands as a powerful reminder of our history, our resistance and the importance of community,” the proud Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba and Barapa Barapa woman told the audience.

COURTNEY UGLE, STYLED BY WITCHERY, IS WEARING THE STRAPLESS MINI DRESS AND ADRIANA HEEL

Courtney Ugle, a highly-acclaimed athlete, spokesperson and Noongar woman, also found meaning in it.

“I’m Blak. I’m loud. And I’m so proud, because I’m fighting the battles that my mum and dad didn’t win. But I was given the strength to do that,” she said.

“We talked about intergenerational trauma that gets passed down. What about the international strength and resilience that also was passed down?”

EVENT ARTWORK: Alysha Menzel
PANEL’S CLOTHING: WITCHERY
FLOWERS: Alchemy Orange
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Kahealea Coleman-Wilson
PHOTOGRAPHY: Tiffany Garvie
LOCATION: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING PARTNER