Aboriginal Culture
The Council is committed to promoting awareness of Indigenous history and celebrating contemporary Aboriginal culture through initiatives such as Summer Sounds, Arts At Your Doorstep, Boon Wurrung Ngargee, and the Koorie Night Market at The Substation.
Reconciliation Week
The Council, in partnership with other western councils through the Western Region Local Government Reconciliation Network, delivers a comprehensive events calendar in celebration of Reconciliation Week. Events include performance, music, storytelling, sports and recreation, walks, exhibitions and more.
National Reconciliation Week 2012 was from Sunday, 27th of May to Sunday, 3rd of June. The Council screened Murundak, a highly acclaimed film about Aboriginal music. at the Altona City Theatre. The evening included a panel discussion presented by GetUp Outwest.
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has endured as the name of the week itself.
NAIDOC Week is a national celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and an opportunity to highlight and support Hobsons Bay's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
To acknowledge NAIDOC Week 2012, the Council had a flag raising ceremony with The Gathering Place Monday, 2nd July 2012 at the Civic Centre in Altona.
Boon Wurrung Ngargee
Hobsons Bay City Council, in partnership with The Boon Wurrung Foundation and Idja Dance Theatre, presented Boon Wurrung Ngargee at Point Gellibrand in October 2011. The first pilot program held in Hobsons Bay involved Grade 5 and 6 children from Laverton P-12 College as part of the 2011 Mayoral program.
The Boon Wurrung Ngargee brings a new element to the arts and culture program of Hobsons Bay consistent with the Reconciliation Statement of Commitment and Policy and supports the Council Objectives of Civic Leadership, Community Wellbeing, and Arts, Recreation and Culture.
Download the Boon Wurrung Ngargee information booklet here.