The Koorie Heritage Trust (KHT) celebrates NAIDOC Week, honouring the enduring cultures, strength and resilience of First Peoples.
This year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks a significant milestone, celebrating five decades of NAIDOC Week as a national platform that recognises, amplifies and celebrates the voices, achievements, cultures and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
KHT honours this legacy and proudly walks alongside the next generation as they continue to shape a strong and just future.
Join KHT on Friday 10 July for a special KHT NAIDOC Week First Peoples Art and Design Market and a day of free community celebrations from 12noon to 5.30pm.
More than 20 First Peoples artists and designers come together in this annual market, including Art by Bronwyn David, Gunuwarra, Haus of Dizzy & Haus of Ziggy Lee, JazzySkye Design, Kevin Williams Art Gallery, Lovett Homestead, Made by Minty alongside many other incredible makers and creatives.
The market coincides with NAIDOC in the City, a free concert presented by the City of Melbourne at Fed Square following the annual NAIDOC Week march from the steps of Parliament House. Together, these events create a full day of First Peoples cultural celebration and community in the heart of Narrm.
Alongside the market, there will be a range of free workshops and activities for all ages.
Experience two exceptional exhibitions at KHT, Ray Thomas: Yeerung’s Journey celebrating over four decades of art, culture and storytelling, Yeerung’s Journey is the first major solo exhibition to be held at the KHT of artworks by Brabrawooloong Gunnai artist Ray Thomas. Open until 9 August 2026.
occupation studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung (they tried to tame Birrarung) a new multichannel audiovisual artwork by artist Tahlia Palmer (Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay and mixed European descent), developed in collaboration with Jasper Cohen-Hunter (Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung). Through immersive sound and moving image, Palmer and Cohen-Hunter interrogate the colonial occupation and regulation of the Birrarung (Yarra River), revealing how non-First Peoples altered a living waterway that had sustained Wurundjeri people for countless generations. Open until 13 September 2026.
During NAIDOC Week, KHT will also offer additional Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency Workshops and KHTs Guided Aboriginal Walking Tours, Mon-Fri, 1pm.
Join us as we celebrate 50 Years of Deadly and honour the enduring strength, culture and contributions of First Peoples.
KHT gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our public programming partners: Krystyna Campbell-Pretty and Family, and The Orloff Foundation.
KHT NAIDOC Week First Peoples Art and Design Market is presented in partnership with SBS Australia and Fed Square. Supported by Aboriginal Melbourne and the City of Melbourne as part of NAIDOC in the City free concert.
Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Building, Fed Square, Narrm. www.kht.org.au
