15 October 2025
This year, Southern Cross Care extended the spirit of National NAIDOC Week well beyond July, bringing cultural celebrations and creative workshops to residents and staff across our communities these past few months.
Thanks to funding support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), we were able to host a series of interactive art experiences led by First Nations artists Wendy Rix and Valerie Murray.
Contemporary Indigenous artist Wendy Rix visited our metro communities, holding art workshops with staff at our Brisbane Support Centre, and with our Home Care clients, retirement village residents and aged care residents from our Stretton Gardens, Raceview, Edens Landing and Holland Park communities. During each session, Wendy guided participants in creating their own artworks while sharing stories of her culture and creative journey.
Laughter, colour, and conversation filled the rooms, with many residents proudly taking home their own pieces of art.
In the Western Downs, Valerie Murray of Maudu Collective brought people together through hands-on cultural workshops. Our Home Care clients and aged care residents from Miles, Tara, Taroom, Chinchilla and Jandowae enjoyed creating crafts, painting emu eggs, exploring bush tucker, and connecting with Indigenous traditions in meaningful and practical ways. Alan Martin (Rainbow Warrior) also shared the cultural significance and spiritual meaning behind the sacred smoking and cleansing ceremonies of First Nations culture.
Together, these activities reflected our ongoing journey of reconciliation, one centred on genuine connection, cultural celebration, and meaningful action.
At Southern Cross Care, we continue to embrace and build connections with First Nations culture across our services. The NAIDOC workshops with Wendy and Valerie deepened these connections, offering residents and staff alike a chance to learn, create, and celebrate together.
