General News
16 July, 2022
NAIDOC gets Horsham moving
Horsham residents take part in the finale of NAIDOC Week with a family friendly walk-run event.
HORSHAM participants got up and active with NAIDOC Week’s Walk Run Family Fun Day event on Friday, July 8.
Around 100 people attended the event which opened with a smoke ceremony cleansing followed by a number of traditional dances before people took onto the walk-run courses.
Wergaia and Dja Dja Wurrung custodian Uncle Ron Marks said he was thankful to those that had made NAIDOC Week happen.
"This is a great turnout because those who may not have gone to last year's walk-run event may have been in lockdown, so today is a good day and a good opportunity," he said.
"It's been a great week, we've had plenty of great events in Stawell, Horsham and Dimboola. We've seen lots of both kids and adults take part so it's been great.
"It's always been a push for health promotion and events for us ... I applaud Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-Operative for getting in and making this week happen."
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The Walk Run Family Fun Day was the concluding event for NAIDOC Week after a Run, Walk or Ride Family Fun Day event in Stawell and a NAIDOC Art Exhibition evening opening event at Horsham Regional Art Gallery on July 6.
After conquering the three and five-kilometre tracks, hikers and joggers were treated to a barbecue lunch with kangaroo and crocodile options.
Event organiser Tanisha Lovett said she believes events such as the NAIDOC Week Walk Run event will help cultivate health and connection in communities.
"Today, we had our walk-run event for NAIDOC Week which the theme for this year is 'Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up'," she said.
"This is the last Goolum Goolum event for the week but they'll be another two events over this weekend.
"I think it's important that the aboriginal community gather, connect with each other, go on walks and think about their health and actually get out there."
