Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2
The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting community members to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 at a special Flag Raising and Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 10am, Monday July 6 at Larnangurrak (our place), Dja Dja Wurrung Corporate and Community Centre, 43 Hattam Street Golden Square.
In addition to the flag raising a range of other local activities will take place including the annual Knuldoorong Art Exhibition, a NAIDOC Morning Tea with a Side of Art, Djaa Djuwima Exhibition and a Heathcote NAIDOC Week Morning Tea.
Hosted by the City of Greater Bendigo and the Bendigo Art Gallery the NAIDOC Morning Tea with a Side of Art event will take place from 10am to 12noon in the Yapena Room, Galkanyu Gov Hub, Lyttleton Terrace on Thursday July 9. This free event celebrates 50 years of Deadly and has been designed for participants to enjoy some art, a cuppa, and a yarn.
The 2026 Knuldoorong Art Exhibition showcases a range of paintings, weaving and jewellery from First Nations artists and creatives with all artwork available for purchase. The exhibition launches at 5pm on Thursday July 2 at Dudley House in View Street and continues from 10.30am to 4pm from Friday July 3 to Friday July 17.
The public can also view the current art exhibition, Billabongs Not Silos: Beyond Symbolism, at Djaa Djuwima at the Bendigo Visitor Centre, open daily from 9.00am to 4.30pm. Presented by La Trobe University and Djaa Djuwima, this exhibition brings together Indigenous artworks, cultural objects and stories from health, education and community organisations across Victoria.
The City is also supporting a Heathcote NAIDOC Week Morning Tea which is being held on Tuesday July 7 at the Oval Room, Barrack Reserve Stadium, Heathcote from 10.30am to 12.00pm. This free event is being hosted by Heathcote Health and the Heathcote Reconciliation Group.
The winning films from this year’s Koorie Youth Flick Fest will also be shown on the big screen at Federation Square at 12noon on Tuesday July 7 as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations in Melbourne. The Koorie Youth Flick Fest is the City’s annual short film competition for local First Nations young people with the winners announced in May during this year’s Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival. The winning films can also be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and a great opportunity for all Australians to come together and celebrate the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
“I encourage residents to come along to the annual flag raising which this year will take place at Larnangurrak (our place), Dja Dja Wurrung Corporate and Community Centre and other events and help celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026,” Cr. Prince said.
“This year’s national theme is 50 Years of Deadly. The theme marks a major milestone for NAIDOC Week and is a tribute to the many Elders and leaders, organisers and local First Nations communities who have driven and built the NAIDOC movement year after year.”