In line with this year’s theme ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’, Macquarie Centre is proud to provide a sensory experience that honours and recognises the incredible talent of the First Nations peoples, including:

• Indigenous Art Display painted by a member of the Macquarie University Indigenous Community showcased throughout the centre.
• Digitised Welcome to Country, spoken by Aunty Donna Ingram.
• Curated Indigenous artists playlist playing throughout the mall, featuring traditional melodies and modern Indigenous songwriters such as Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum and Emma Donovan.
• Eucalyptus scent machine to stimulate the senses and reflect the aromatic gums that surround the Centre.
• Kids art & craft activities including Rock Art, Mosaic Magnets and Sand Art to educate the younger generations on this important history.
• Aboriginal owned and run business ‘Jarin Street’ featuring their activewear range across the VM display.

Allies, mob members, and Sydneysiders far and wide: Macquarie Centre is thrilled to invite you to celebrate NAIDOC Week with us this year!

In recognition of NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme, ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’, Macquarie Centre is proud to provide a sensory experience that honours and recognises the incredible talent of the First Nations peoples.

NAIDOC Week: 7 – 14 July, 2024

In the lead up to NAIDOC Week, we hosted an art competition in partnership with Walanga Muru (Macquarie University’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre), with the goal of unveiling the talent of a young Indigenous artist. It is our pleasure to present the winner Natalie Abraham, and her phenomenal hand painted piece ‘Flames of the Dreamtime: Burning for Generations‘ to the broader community.

A culmination of dreamtime, symbolism and personal reflection, Natalie tells a story of the connection between the traditional custodians, the Wallumattagal peoples, the new generation, and the land. The artwork showcases the importance of connection and unity between the First Nations people and wider community, centred around the Wallumettagal people’s totem – the Black Snapper Fish. Dot painting technique paired with circular brushstrokes and totems throughout cements the artists impression of unity within our community. This beautiful artwork will be displayed throughout the Centre across various entry points, at our Concierge Desk, lifts and digital screens.

To allow this important annual event to reach our wider audience, we have crafted a digitised ‘Welcome to Country’ to honour the weeks commencement, spoken by Aunty Donna Ingram. We encourage all to tune into pay your respects via our social media channels.

To ensure our immersive tribute encapsulates, not only sight, but sound and scent, we have curated the week’s mall music to feature the traditional melodies and modern Indigenous songwriters such as Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan and more, played throughout the centre during NAIDOC Week.  Paired with our Eucalyptus scent machine, to stimulate the senses, and reflect the aromatic gums that surround the Centre.

As part of our Kids Clubhouse Activities, we will run a series of craft workshops including Rock Art, Mosaic Magnets and Sand Art to educate the younger generations on this important history.

Finally, we are also providing a free space for 100% Aboriginal owned and run ‘Jarin Street’ by featuring their activewear range across our VM pods. By highlighting their brands and sharing their story, we strive to educate our customers on the importance of supporting 100% Aboriginal owned businesses and promoting the #buyblak movement.

In the spirit of commemoration, we want to acknowledge the Wallumattagal people of the Eora Nation upon whose land on which we meet; and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We’d also like to thank the effort of all members of our community that continually play a role as embers in our everlasting fire. So, strike a match, or stay alight, to keep this fire burning.

Visit macquariecentre.com.au/naidoc-week-2024/ to find out more!