NAIDOC Week will be held July 6 to 13 to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The 2025 theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.
This year’s theme recognises 50 years of honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture, and resilience in past achievements and the future ahead.
There will be numerous opportunities for Geelong residents and visitors to engage with NAIDOC Week events in our region.
SATURDAY JULY 5
The Wathaurong NAIDOC Ball will be held at Mount Duneed Estate from 6.30pm to celebrate the achievements of the local Aboriginal community and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. Tickets are on sale via the Wathaurong website.
MONDAY JULY 7
The Barwon Coast NAIDOC Week Sunrise Ceremony and walk with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) will be held from 7.30am at the Barwon Heads end of Bukareeyoo (formerly known as 20W). You can find out more information at the Barwon Coast website.
The annual NAIDOC Week Flag Raising event to officially launch NAIDOC Week at the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative in North Geelong will start at 11am. This is free for everyone to get together.
TUESDAY JULY 8
Storytelling with Art will be held at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome) Activity Room for children aged five to 12 to learn about NAIDOC Week and first nations art. This will start at 10.30am. Free but bookings are recommended via the Geelong Regional Libraries website.
The Wathaurong Aunties & Uncles Lunch will be held from noon at the Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre, 410 Surf Coast Hwy, Grovedale. Tickets are on sale via the Wathaurong website.
WEDNESDAY JULY 9
The Wathaurong Youth NAIDOC Ball will be held at Northern Aquatic and Community Hub from 6pm to celebrate the achievements of the local Aboriginal community and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. Non-Indigenous family members are also welcome to attend. Information and tickets are available via the Wathaurong website.
THURSDAY JULY 10
The Wathaurong NAIDOC Week Disco will be held from 5pm at the Karroong Kanyool Youth Hub, 20A Forster St, Norlane, for Wathaurong community kids aged five to 11. Information and tickets are available via the Wathaurong website.
FRIDAY JULY 11
The NAIDOC Week Naarm/Melbourne March will be at noon. Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will provide bus transport to and from Melbourne for the march for any community members who would like to attend. The bus will leave at 9.30am from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Morgan Street, North Geelong. Register a place on the bus via the Wathaurong website.
Storytelling with Art will be held at The Cave of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (The Dome) for children aged five to 12 to learn about NAIDOC Week and first nations art. This will start at 2.30pm. Free but bookings are recommended via the Geelong Regional Libraries website.
SATURDAY JULY 12
Geelong United Basketball will be hosting their NAIDOC Round at Geelong Arena with additional cultural activities. The women’s game will tip off at 5pm and the men’s game at 7pm. Information and tickets are available via the Geelong United website.
Christine Couzens MP
State Member for Geelong
Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples
