NAIDOC Week
It’s NAIDOC Week here in Australia with the theme of Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) occurs annually in July, and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Source
The colours of the Aboriginal Flag
The Aboriginal Flag is divided horizontally into equal halves of black (top) and red (bottom), with a yellow circle in the centre. The black symbolises Aboriginal people. The yellow represents the sun, the constant re-newer of life. Source
The heart of our land…
I am sharing some photos from a trip we did to the Red Centre of Australia in July 2015. Uluru is a sacred site and as such has great significance to the traditional owners.
Climbing the rock was stopped in October 2019
Uluru has been sacred to Anangu for tens of thousands of years, and climbing Uluru was not generally permitted under Tjukurpa (Anangu law and culture).
Visitors began climbing Uluru in the late 1930s, and to keep people safe, the first section of the climb chain was installed in 1964.
In 1985 Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was handed back to the traditional owners, Anangu, in an event known as Handback. The question of closing the climb was raised, and Anangu spokesman Kunmanara Lester said that while Anangu didn’t like people climbing Uluru it would be allowed for now.
In the 1990s signs were put up at the base of the climb which asked visitors on behalf of Anangu, Please Don’t Climb. As visitors learned more about Anangu culture and their wishes, the number of visitors climbing Uluru began to drop.
In 2010, the release of the Park’s Management Plan signalled the intention to work towards closing the climb. In November 2017, the Board of Management agreed that the criteria which included the number of visitors climbing falling below 20%, voted unanimously to close the climb from 26 October 2019, the 34th anniversary of Handback. This significant decision demonstrates Tjukurpa and Australian law working together in joint management. Our vision is that the park is a place where Anangu law and culture is kept strong for future generations. Source
These are just a few of my favourite landscape shots from our visit to Uluru. The sun on the rock gives it a variety of colours particularly at sunrise and sunset. It is really something that must be seen to be believed – it’s simply a stunning landscape.
We are Australian
Our national broadcaster, the ABC, turned 90years old and this video was shared as part of the celebrations, it’s fabulous and gave me goosebumps – please watch and enjoy. I especially loved the drummers!! Let me know what you think of it.
Sunday Stills
This week, Terri’s prompt is a colour one, ruby red…and it just so happens that back in July 2015 we were visiting the red centre of Australia for the very first time. It was an amazing place and we will definitely go back one day soon. I thought I’d share a few photos and interesting facts with you.
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of our indigenous heritage and learning a bit about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.
Did you get goosebumps from that video?
Deb x
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Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
Great blog post. It was nice to see the comparison to other big landmarks. I travelled here earlier in the year and loved it. A truly special place.
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It really is a special place, thanks for your visit and comment.
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No problem Debbie 😊
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Those are beautiful!
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Thank you Kirstin, an amazing place to see!
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Wow! Thanks for the information about this spectacular unique landmark, Am glad they stopped the climbing on this spiritual rock
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It’s an amazing place to visit and the spirit of the place imprints itself on everyone who goes there.
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I think it is wonderful that Australia has a day to recognize its original inhabitants. I remember reading about Uluru closing and was glad to hear that the sacred site would be returned to its people.
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Thanks Sue, it is a truly special place and needs to be respected by not climbing.
I also linked to your post about packing carry-on in a recent post and want to thank you for the inspiration.
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Thank you so much Debbie. That’s very kind of you.
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I’m glad that by the time we visited in 1998 there was a sign explaining why you shouldn’t climb because I’ve always been up for a challenge and I’d have been up that chain like a greased platypus. We did walk round and watch as the sun set stunning us with the colour palette created. It’s quite the most extraordinary spot, isn’t it?
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So pleased you’ve visited Uluru Geoff and understood the reasons not to climb. It looked far too scary for me to even think about it anyway! We walked around the base and hired bikes and rode around which was a great way of seeing it all. The colours were amazing and I was blown away with it all.
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We enjoyed the sunset but the sunrise… now there’s a bit of a story
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I loved how you managed to encompass so much into this post with #red as one of the words. I am in awe of the red centre and unlikely to visit now but always a privilege to read about others’ experiences. I am so pleased to read today that the Aboriginal Flag is being LEFT in place now on the Harbour Bridge after NAIDOC week and the NSW State flag is the one that will be flown elsewhere. A good decision which will not cost millions at first thought!
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Thanks Denyse, once I started I was determined to try and cover a few ‘issues’ in the post. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve just been reading about the flag on the bridge and the decision, a good compromise I thought. Your red post was lovely!
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HI, Debbie – Your photos of Uluru are breathtaking. Thank you for sharing the story of the Handback. It gives hope that more people can work together for the good of all!
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Yes Donna and peace is a huge part of it all! Your WOTY is a great one 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and enjoying my Uluru shots 🙂
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Wow, Debbie, Uluru is stunning! I’m not a climber so I wouldn’t have been tempted anyway, but I’m glad they closed down the access.
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No me either Janis, it looked very scary to me and the wind up the top could be very dangerous. It’s been the right decision to close the climb in my opinion!
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That’s a great video and portrays a good partnership between the Indigenous population and the settlers. I have been to Uluru and it is so massive. We walked it at sunrise. Unforgettable experience. Bernie
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That’s great to know you’ve been there Bernie! We walked and rode bikes around the base and I enjoyed the talks by the Indigenous Rangers too. Such an amazing place. The video was a real delight!
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The video portrays a balanced Australia with the original and the settlers. Is that reality or is it still a work in progress? We have a lot to do here to reach reconciliation and the path forward. They say it will take 7 generations from the 1st residential school students for the effects of it to be gone.
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Awesomeness!
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A very special place Cindy!
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No goosebumps, but major smiles. Great video, thanks for sharing 🙂
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Lots of smiles 🙂
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Thank you for the Uluru story and photos.I live in the U.S. and had never heard of this beautiful, powerful spot.
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HI Jenney, I’m so pleased you could visit Uluru via my post. You’re right it’s a very powerful and sacred site.
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So interesting.
I loved it.
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Thanks, I enjoyed sharing it with you too 🙂
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Goosebumps? Yes! Love the drums and the mix of moves, song, drums intertwined to make 1. Excellent red photo and story choice for our weekly photo challenge this week.
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The drums were fantastic weren’t they?? It was all put together so well! Glad you enjoyed my photos of an amazing place.
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Love the video, Debbie ❤️
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It was so good Cathy! I always love hearing the song but the video moved it up a level!
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Definitely an iconic symbol of Australia, Debbie! Your pictures are gorgeous and how amazing to see Uluru in person. I am always amazed at just how many red rock formations exist around the world. We’re currently in red rock desert country in Scottsdale, Arizona which is not far from the iconic red rocks of Sedona! Wonderful post, enjoy your week!
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Yes I’ve not been to many other red rock formations but they are amazing when I’ve seen photos of them around the world. Enjoy your red rock desert 🙂
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I have often seen this landmark in photos and the size comparison really puts it in perspective. Perfect photos to submit for the Ruby Red challenge!
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Thanks for that! I only added in the comparison at the last minute because sometimes you need to see it like that to get a handle on the real size. Thanks for visiting with me and enjoying Uluru.
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Love that rendition of I am Australian, it really should be our anthem. Goosebumps with this version. Love your photos too Deb and I agree, Uluṟu really has to be experienced firsthand to understand, it’s very special. ❤️🧡
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Yes that rendition was very powerful I thought Miriam and makes me smile every time I see it! It would make a great anthem 🙂
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Great photos of a great Aussie icon Deb. I’m assuming you didn’t climb it? I heard that there was a big influx of climbers just before it closed – nice that it’s free from all that now.
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No we didn’t climb it Leanne, it was way too scary for me as well as going against local wishes. Yes apparently there were loads of people trying to climb it before it was closed. I really don’t get it! It was a very spiritual place.
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