21 July 2025

For those that weren’t able to make it to our NAIDOC Community Day, and those that want to relive the awesome day had, here’s 2 minutes and 19 seconds of pure joy!

Thank you to everyone that made the day so amazing – from the performers to the suppliers to all you mob that could join us.

In no particular order, and with apologies to anyone we’ve missed, huge shout out to:

Uncle Wayne Thorpe and Zane for the Welcome and the Smoking; the Boorun Boys & Djeetgun Girls, Gadhu Dancers, and Cultural Connections Dance Group for dancing up a storm; the Deans of Soul, DJ Lionel Rose Jnr, and Uncle Lindsay and Aunty Gail for keeping our toes tapping; Wacky Wombat, My Barn Babies and Black Snake Productions bringing the fun for young and old; and Ringo Morgan and Susan & Kylie Martin for sharing culture.

Big shout out to all the stall holders – Da Mob 3875, First People’s Assembly of Victoria, Cultural Connects, The Koori Way, VAHS, GippsTAFE – Morwell Campus, TAFE Gippsland Koorie Unit, Deadly Wears, Yoowinna Wurnalung, East Gippsland Shire Council and the DEECA Gippsland First Custodians Networks for bringing down their fire truck.

And how deadly were the t-shirts designed by Brad Brown, kindly handed out by Lizzy and her awesome crew.

And to all the folk behind the scenes who pulled the day together – First Nations Traffic Management, Lake Tyers First Responders Unit, Bruthen Music, Entertainment Gippsland, Zagame Security, Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA), Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation and Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd for showing such deadly support.

Huge thanks to Ngwala Coffee Van, Guiltfree Gourmet, Big Bear Donuts, Doin’ Dumplings, Melting Momentz, Stratford Pony Club, Wheelie Pizza, and Bairnsdale Charcoal Chicken for keeping us all so well fed, and the Bush Cafe for supporting the Elders.

Finally, to all the GLaWAC crew who contributed their everything in the weeks and months leading up to NAIDOC, you’ve simply outdone yourselves and we couldn’t be more thankful or any prouder!

It really does take a village, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!