COX Celebrates NAIDOC Week
[above] Urapun Muy by Deb Belyea | Samuawgadhalgal, Torres Strait
“‘Urapun Muy,’ from the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect of the Top Western Islands of the Torres Strait, means ‘One Fire.’ The title of this work pays homage to Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people everywhere, as we all have that one fire: our passion for our culture.” Read more here.
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
The 2024 theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud,’ celebrates the enduring legacy and unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and seeks to amplify voices that have long been silenced. This theme calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
We understand the impact and influence we have as an organisation, and our obligation to celebrate First Nations cultures, knowledge, and heritage, and integrate it into our designs to heal and sustain Country.
Throughout the week, each of our six studios will be getting out into community and getting involved in local grassroots community events. We will also be hosting a national internal event as another opportunity to listen, learn and continue to deepen our understanding of sustainable and culturally respectful design practices, further supporting our journey to understand and embed Country at the forefront of our design process.
[above]: QUAMPI, Quandamooka Arts and Culture Centre on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
National Event
Our people are invited to hear from Paul Memmott AO, an Australian architect and anthropologist.
Paul is renowned for his research in Aboriginal sustainable housing, settlement design, institutional architecture access, cultural heritage, and more. He will discuss his co-authored book ‘Gunyah, Goondie and Wurley’ and Indigenous housing design principles.
The event will be hosted by the Brisbane studio, with other studios joining via VC. This is a closed event, but we will be sharing our takeaways after, so stay tuned.
Local Events
Our studios will be getting out into community and getting involved in events, these events are all available for the public to attend, and we encourage you to join us there!
Tarndanya | Adelaide
NAIDOC March & Family Festival: 12th July, 11am to 12:30pm (Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square).
Meeanjin | Brisbane
Musgrave Park Family Fun Day: 12th July, 11am to 12:30pm (Musgrave Park).
Ngunnawal | Canberra
Community NAIDOC Week Event: 6th July, 10:45am – 2pm (Woden Town Square).
Naarm | Melbourne
VicNAIDOC Flag Raising: 8th July, 8:30am – 10:30am (Federation Square) / VicNAIDOC March: 12th July, 10am start (Victorian Aboriginal Health Service).
Boorloo | Perth
NAIDOC Opening Ceremony: 7th July, 12pm – 4pm(Wellington Square).
Warrane | Sydney
Inner City NAIDOC Family Fun Day: 11th July, 11am – 4pm (Carriageworks).