Throughout National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, Menzies’ hosted events which saw us come together to learn about how we can each contribute to reconciliation in Australia and celebrate the oldest, continuous culture in the world. 

Launch of Menzies Artwork Exhibition:

We are proud to celebrate the collection of artworks commissioned by Menzies over many years from more than 20 programs and research projects.

During National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2023), we officially launched the display of these artworks in the Menzies John Mathews Building (JMB) foyer. 

 
Image 1: Larrakia Elder, Dr Bilawara Lee, shares a Welcome to Country at the National Reconciliation Week Launch of Menzies’ Artwork Exhibition.

 
Image 2: Menzies Art Gallery of Scientific Discovery Project with artist Jayde Hopkins and Menzies Associate Deputy Director, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, Mark Mayo. 

 
Image 3: Menzies Biyamarr ma Project Officer, Diane Walker; Menzies Director, Prof. Alan Cass; artist, Norma Chidanpee Benger, and Menzies Deputy Director Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, Dr Sean Taylor. The artwork by Norma was commissioned to represent Menzies Reconciliation Action Plan (middle centre) and Menzies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Career Development Strategy, 2022 – 2027 (middle top).  

National Reconciliation Week Guest Presentation: Pat Anderson AO

During National Reconciliation Week we had the chance to hear from Alywarre woman, Pat Anderson AO, Co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue and an architect of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. 

Pat has worked tirelessly to deliver the Uluru Statement and campaign for the referendum and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. She encouraged us all to seek reliable information and participate in this key step towards reconciliation.

 
Image 4 (L-R): Menzies Biyamarr ma Project Officer, Diane Walker; Menzies Director, Prof. Alan Cass; Co-chair of the Uluru Dialogue, Pat Anderson; Menzies Associate Deputy Director, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, Mark Mayo and Menzies Biyamarr ma Manager, Vanessa Harris.

NAIDOC Week (2-9 July 2023): Welcome Morning Tea

We started NAIDOC Week with a Smoking Ceremony and the chance to connect over cupcakes and a coffee by Luva Cuppa at our Welcome Morning Tea.
 
Image 5: Larrakia men, Trent Lee and his father Tony Lee on didgeridoo ran the Menzies NAIDOC Week Smoking Ceremony. 

NAIDOC Week Staff Lunch
Later in the week, we had the opportunity to come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week over lunch, where a number of our team members made delicious food for us all to enjoy. 

As part of this event, we were delighted to be joined by the Upai Purri Torres Strait Islander dance troop who provided a fantastic performance. 

In support of the 2023 NAIDOC theme, ‘For Our Elders’, our Biyamarr ma team put together a fundraiser, donating the proceeds to Juninga Centre Aged Care Facility in Darwin.

  
Image 6: The Upai Purri Torres Strait Islander dance troop, with Menzies Deputy Director Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, Dr Sean Taylor, and Menzies team members. 

 
Image 7: Biyamarr ma Project Officer, Jo Clarke; Juninga Centre Aged Care Facility Service Manager, Jenny Messel, and Menzies Deputy Director Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, Dr Sean Taylor, at Menzies NAIDOC Lunch.