To celebrate NAIDOC Week, we invited Wurundjeri elder Perry Wandin to host a smoking ceremony at our studio. This year’s theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. It invites us all to listen, learn, and engage in dialogue with Indigenous people, nurturing a society where Indigenous wisdom and contributions are fully valued and respected.

Perry is a descendant of Uncle Robert Wandin, who was born in the Steele's Flat area of the Upper Yarra and the son of Annie Borate, William Barak’s sister. Yesterday Perry spoke of Uncle Robert’s role in fighting against the closure of Coranderrk in 1881, when he was one of 22 men who walked to Melbourne from Healesville to appeal for his people to remain living there. It was a memorable ceremony, with the scent of smoking gum leaves and Perry’s words staying with us throughout the day.