General News
14 July, 2023
Indigenous artwork takes centre stage
Horsham Police, in collaboration with Koori Court, showcased Indigneous artwork at the police station last Wednesday during NAIDOC week. Horsham police and court staff, representatives of Goolum Goolum and Orange Door were among the attendees...
Horsham Police, in collaboration with Koori Court, showcased Indigenous artwork at the police station last Wednesday during NAIDOC week.
Horsham police and court staff, representatives of Goolum Goolum and Orange Door were among the attendees.
Artists Thomas Marks’ artwork “Red Tailed Cockatoos” (Totem of Thomas Fathers Mob the proud, Strong and Deadly Wotjobaluk People) and Pamela Branson’s decorated football was launched at the event.
Ms Branson’s exquisitely crafted football design is also displayed on the station’s window with a Welcome to Country greeting.
“We were really hopeful that it would be launched in NAIDOC week, as it’s very significant, both to the traditional owners and to Victoria Police,” Inspector Dianne Thomson said.
“Victoria Police has launched the Yoorrook Justice Commission and the truth-telling, which is really important for us to acknowledge.
“I think this is really important because local people have commissioned this artwork, Aunty Pam and their Uncle Thomas Marks, and they know who these people are.
“They see these people working with Victoria Police in partnership, and it creates the field that we want an authentic partnership where we’re working together.”
Aunty Hazel McDonald performed the Welcome to Country and Uncle Ron Marks conducted the smoking ceremony prior to the artwork viewing.
Horsham Police Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer Robyn Lauricella and Koorie Court’s engagement officer Christina Secombe selected and launched the artworks.
Goolum Goolum events coordinator officer Kym Bateson said activities such as this helped dismantle barriers.
“It’s been a wonderful day. It’s very important for the community to gather together and be part of this special day,” she said.
“These kinds of events can break the barriers between the Victoria Police and the First Nations community, and we can work together.
“I’m working with several events with Robyn Lauricella, and we’ve got a number of events coming for the rest of the year.”
Koori Community engagement officer for the Grampians region Christina Secombe, based at Horsham Courthouse, said the event was a huge success.
“The First Nations people will benefit because they come to celebrate it as a whole, together as a community,” she said.
“We get to celebrate it with our elders and educate the wider community, like with Police and the courts, about the significance of NAIDOC and how we celebrate it. The response was excellent.”