Celebrating Connection: Highlights from Bangerang Community Day

Published on 01 October 2025

The Bangerang Community Day was a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and connection, held as part of NAIDOC Week 2025. The event was held at the Wangaratta Scout Hall and Wangaratta Bowls Club, and brought together families, elders, and community members for a day filled with joy, learning, and shared experiences.

The day began with a Welcome to Country and traditional dance that set the tone for a celebration rooted in respect and cultural pride. One of the most cherished experiences was weaving, where gentle guidance and storytelling created a beautiful opportunity to connect with traditional practices and wisdom.

Children and families were delighted by the Animals of Oz display, where native wildlife sparked curiosity and wonder. The Flying Fruit Fly Circus crew showed visitors how to master some circus tricks which was very entertaining to watch!

Creative expression was everywhere, from face painting to kids’ arts and crafts, little hands were busy making, drawing, and exploring. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with the smell of a free BBQ and delicious homemade soup drawing people together to share a meal and stories.

Despite the rain and wind, the Bangerang Community Day was a really great event, celebrating culture and community. It reminded us of the importance of honouring First Nations culture not just during NAIDOC Week, but every day. This year's NAIDOC week theme was: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.

The event was a partnership between Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education (ACHE) and Rural City of Wangaratta.