July 22, 2022

NAIDOC Week 2022: Highlights and quiz winners

NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Stephanie Thompson, Aboriginal Liaison Officer and proud Gunditjmara woman, says, “This year’s NAIDOC Week theme Get up! Stand up! Show up! celebrates our ancestor’s history by doing just that, getting up, standing up and showing up! Celebrating many who have driven and led change within our communities and continue to do so.”

This year, in addition to the display in the foyer at Northern Hospital Epping and at our other sites, we also had for the first time a Video Gallery, as part of our online display.

Over 200 entries from across the health service were received for the 2022 NAIDOC Quiz. The questions were centred on the 2022 theme and participants needed to correctly answer all questions. Congratulations to our winners below:

1st prize winner: Vikramjit Multani (ICT)

2nd prize winner: Sharryn Beard (Partnerships)

3rd prize winner: Cem Sonnez (NorthWestern Area Mental Health Service, Brunswick Community Team)

Vikram said, “I am thrilled to have won the first prize and played a small part in the NAIDOC Week celebrations!”

Narrun Wilip-giin (Aboriginal Support Unit) would like to thank everyone who participated.

In other highlights, at the Research Grand Round held on 14 July, we heard from Jack Bulman, CEO of Mibbinbah Spirit Healing in Queensland. Jack is a Muthi Muthi man from South Western New South Wales.

Jack spoke about his work with Indigenous communities across Australia. Back in 2005, he started running programs for men and subsequently Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community programs such as the ‘Be the Best you can Be’ program.

Narrun Wilip-giin also kindly gifted Aboriginal designed children’s colouring books and pencils, supported by Northern Health Foundation, to all children in the Children’s Ward during NAIDOC Week.

The book’s artwork has been created by Gary Saunders, a proud Bangerang, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung man.

As Karen Bryant, Senior Aboriginal Liaison Officer and proud Gunditjmara woman, says, “NAIDOC Week is important to me. It’s a time to relish in my culture with my family, grandchildren and community. It’s a special time of year where our mob can connect, educate and celebrate all aspects of First Nations histories and culture with non-Indigenous people.”

Featured image shows first and third prize winners of the NAIDOC Quiz – Vikramjit Multani and Cem Sonnez, with the prizes they won