Celebrating NAIDOC Week with staff and students in Sydney

NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Navitas is proud to celebrate National NAIDOC Week, as part of the commitment to teaching and learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and stories.

All Navitas Sydney staff and students were invited to attend a Harbour Heritage Tour with a First Nations guide to admire the beauty and history of Sydney Harbour through the lens of the Gadigal.

For an hour, the teams strolled along the stunning Sydney Harbour foreshore while listening to stories of Gadigal lifestyle, traditions, history and connection to country and community. They were also invited to attend a smoking ceremony in Sydney’s Hyde Park opposite the 255 Elizabeth St campus.

Raymond Weatherall, a Gomeroi man and member of Metropolitan Land Council on Gadigal Land, conducted the ceremony. He shared with Navitas’ teams (ACAP, Western Sydney University, Sydney City Campus, Western Sydney University International College, La Trobe University Sydney Campus) his humour, experience and First Nations knowledge. He lit a mix of native leaves into a smouldering pile that wafted a scented smoke over the gathering of around 60 Navitas students, employees, family and community members.