NAIDOC Week 2025 Flag Raising and Smoking Ceremony

The City of Stonnington invites you to join us for a special event to commemorate NAIDOC Week with a Flag Raising Ceremony and heartfelt musical performance by Yuggera and Ugarapul/Le man, John Wayne Parsons. 

John Wayne, who is also known as Aboriginal Wayne Parsons, fuses traditional Indigenous melodies with contemporary sounds, creating a unique musical style that connects audiences to his cultural roots. His performances —whether at festivals, community events, or cultural initiatives — are renowned for their heartfelt expression and powerful messages of identity, reconciliation, and pride. 

NAIDOC’s theme for 2025, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’, celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young First Peoples' leaders, vision of First Peoples' communities, and the legacy of their ancestors. 

A traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will also be conducted by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Uncle Colin Hunter. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony light refreshments will be served in the Upper Foyer at Malvern Town Hall.

Ceremony details