MatchWorks teams with Northern Blues FC to host NAIDOC Week celebrations

MatchWorks Preston hosted NAIDOC Week celebrations on Wednesday evening in partnership with the Northern Blues Football Club.

The celebrations, on July 5, kicked off with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Uncle John Baxter at Preston City Oval.

MatchWorks Indigenous Employment Consultant Therese Dalakian-Favaloro and former Olympian hurdler Kyle Vander Kuyp.

MatchWorks Indigenous Employment Consultant Therese Dalakian-Favaloro and former Olympian hurdler Kyle Vander Kuyp.

Special guests included former AFL players Dean Rioli and Courtenay Dempsey and former Olympian hurdler Kyle Vander Kuyp.

Guests were entertained by Indigenous dance group One Fire and didgeridoo player Wilfred Stewart. They also enjoyed Aboriginal cuisine and gifts on the night.

The celebrations were attended by local MatchWorks and Employment Services Group (ESG) job seekers, employers and staff as well as local council and DHS guests.

MatchWorks Executive Director Renae Lowry said the event was a perfect opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week and to support the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life,” Renae said.

Indigenous dance group One Fire and didgeridoo player Wilfred Stewart.

Indigenous dance group One Fire and didgeridoo player Wilfred Stewart.

“MatchWorks is proud to have hosted this event and of our commitment to continually support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community through a number of employment programs and events.”

This year’s NAIDOC Week runs until July 9 and carries the theme ‘Our Languages Matter’.