NAIDOC Week 2025 – Community Planting and Cultural Celebration
What a beautiful way to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
Today, more than 100 people from across Melbourne joined us for a Community Planting and Cultural Celebration at Millennium House Community Centre.
We were lucky to have a sunny morning. Although the air was cold, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming as volunteers, families, children and community members gathered together on Bunurong Country to honour this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.”
Throughout the morning, people connected through simple shared moments, planting side by side, listening to stories, creating together and learning from one another.
Together, we:
• Planted more than 300 Indigenous seedlings with Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley
• Joined a powerful Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Robert Ogden
• Created First Nations-inspired faux possum skin balls guided by Helen Farquhar
• Shared conversations and connections across cultures, generations and communities
One of the highlights of the morning was welcoming eight kindergarten children from Astra Kinder in Port Melbourne. They arrived with curiosity, creativity and joy, taking part in planting activities and art experiences with genuine enthusiasm. Seeing young children engage so openly with culture, community and the environment was a beautiful reminder of why investing in the next generation matters.
We were also grateful to welcome Keenan Madden and his son Ethan, proud members of the First Nations community. Ethan participated in each activity with quiet confidence and warmth, while Keenan guided and supported him throughout the morning. It was moving to witness the care shown between generations and the way First Nations Elders and community members embraced them both throughout the event.
Afterwards, Keenan shared how meaningful it was to attend what he described as a “culturally safe community event.” His words reflected something we deeply hoped to create, a space where First Nations individuals and families feel genuinely welcomed, respected and celebrated.
One of the most special parts of the day was seeing children planting alongside adults, community members meeting for the first time, and people slowing down to spend time together outdoors.
A special thank you to:
• Helen Farquhar for her ongoing guidance, cultural knowledge and support as a long-term First Nations community partner
• Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley for funding and leading the planting
• Maribyrnong City Council for their generous support
• All the volunteers, families and children who helped make the day so meaningful
The day reminded us that community connection can take many forms. Not everyone has the time or capacity to volunteer regularly, and that is okay too. Simply showing up, participating in community activities, learning together and building connections can also be meaningful ways of strengthening community.
Through planting, storytelling and shared experiences, we continue building understanding, respect and stronger relationships within our community.
Clockwise from top left:
First Nations community members sharing the real and the faux possum skin balls; a family participating in the Smoking Ceremony; Yooralla community members enjoying the planting and receiving giveaway items from Treaty for Victoria; children from Astra Kinder getting creative at the art and craft station.