Last Friday a NAIDOC celebration was held at Lakes Entrance Woolworths to recognise the shop’s program to integrate more Aboriginals into employment.

Jason Douglas and Trevor Eastwood, of Dalmarri, came down and started a large painting that will eventually be hung at Lakes Entrance Woolworths.

They did the outlines of the painting, which tells the story of the origins of the five Gumaikurnai clans that inhabit the area.

Members of the public coming into Woolworths were then invited to fill in parts of the sketch with paint.

This co-creation encourages all parts of Lakes Entrance community to be part of the finished project.

A plaque will be hung in the store recognising Woolworth’ s employment and reconciliation. The celebration also included a display of aboriginal artifacts.

Kerry Tregonning, an employee at Woolworths in Lakes Entrance, did the Welcome to Country. Aunty Phyllis Andy explained NAIDOC’s theme for this year’s celebrations – Voice, Treaty, Truth. The cutting of a cake concluded the celebrations. NAIDOC Week celebrates the rich history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a day of observance.

There are recognised organisations throughout Australia that are striving for much more in voice, treaty, truth.

PICTURED: Jason Douglas and Trevor Eastwood, of Dalmarri, started a painting during a NAIDOC celebration that recognised Lakes Entrance Woolworths’ program to integrate more Aboriginals into employment last Friday. Once completed the painting will be hung at the shop.