NAIDOC Week celebrations commenced on Tuesday with Western District Health Service (WDHS) partnering with Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation for an online flag raising ceremony and artwork launch.

The community was invited to watch WDHS’s Facebook page on Tuesday as it live steamed the ceremony which included speeches by Aunty Janice Lovett, Rohan Fitzgerald and Shane Boney.

Local Gunditjmara and Bunganditj elder, Uncle Johnny Lovett conducted the Welcome to Country.

“There is starting to be some recognition in regards to NAIDOC Week and for Aboriginal issues and Aboriginal achievements, along with a whole range of issues that shine a different light on the aspects of what Aboriginal occupancy has been before and after white settlement,” he said.

Mr Lovett said the flag raising was “very good” and appreciated the words spoken by WDHS chief executive, Rohan Fitzgerald.

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