Huon Valley News

ARTBOX celebrates NAIDOC Week 2023

The Huon Valley Council is proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023 (2 – 9 July).

This year’s theme is For Our Elders – recognising the prominent role Aboriginal Elders have played and continue to play in our communities and families, paving the way for future generations.

To celebrate NAIDOC Week, the Huon Valley Hub will host a range of arts and cultural events throughout July, including a student-led exhibition of weaving and artworks produced by local students in collaboration with Melukerdee artist Bron Dillon, a colouring-in station, and a series of short films titled ‘For Our Elders’.

ARTBOX, located in the green space next to the Hub, will feature an immersive installation called ‘parrabah – listening, learning and reflecting for our Elders‘, created by multidisciplinary artist Alex Moss and students from St James Catholic School in Cygnet. View their work here: The Whale Story – YouTube

Our NAIDOC celebrations will culminate in a community ‘Celebration Event’ in August, showcasing the artwork, Aboriginal foods, music, dancing, and an outdoor Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

In an important ongoing project documenting the stories of our local Aboriginal Elders and Knowledge Holders, Council together with the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) have created a powerful series of short films. These will be on view in the Hub throughout July. Preview one of the short films here: Elder Stories