First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria push for NAIDOC Week public holiday to honour first nations

Victorians would be given a public holiday under a new plan to honour the state’s first people.

Victorians would be given a public holiday in recognition of NAIDOC Week under a new plan to honour the state’s first people and create a unified future.

With this year’s NAIDOC Week drawing to a close, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria have launched an official petition calling for the day.

The group, which are the elected voice for Aboriginal people and communities involved in Treaty discussions with the state government, say a recognised public holiday would help to promote real and lasting change towards a better future.

NAIDOC Week is an annual occasion of remembrance and resistance that has evolved into a national celebration of community, cultures and Country.

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has launched an official petition calling for the public holiday. Picture: Chris Hyde

The petition states: “We have public holidays for horse races, invasions, footy games, wars and the birthday of foreign monarchs, but we don’t have a day to share and celebrate the history and culture of First Peoples.”

Assembly Co-Chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, said the day of celebration would be “well placed” to coincide with NAIDOC Week.

Ms Atkinson said NAIDOC evolved from an annual occasion of remembrance and resistance originating from boycotts to protest the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as far back as the 1920s.

“Rather than a public holiday that rubs salt into our community’s wounds, a NAIDOC Day public holiday would be inclusive, and would be an opportunity to educate everyone about our history and our culture, and to celebrate our people’s many successes,” she said.

The move would follow the steps of New Zealand, which honours the anniversary of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

Assembly Co-Chair and proud Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, Marcus Stewart, said Victoria should follow in the footsteps of New Zealand, which recognises the anniversary of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty.

“It’s time that Victoria had an official day that celebrates First Peoples too,” he said.

“We’re finishing up a great NAIDOC Week of celebrating our culture, our people and our people’s incredible contributions to this country, imagine how deadly it would be to have a

NAIDOC Day public holiday in future NAIDOC Weeks to truly mark its significance.”