Celebrating NAIDOC Week, first nations history and culture

14 Jul 2024

DSCF8764 (1)

AusTriathlon celebrated NAIDOC week with beginnings of RAP artwork to be created by triathlete and indigenous artist Ambrose Killian

Held across the country from 7-14 July 2024, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To celebrate NAIDOC week and as part of our partnership with TRIMOB to develop our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, AusTriathlon hosted a Cultural Awareness and Artwork Workshop for staff on Thursday 11 July.

Education for staff on First Nations culture being an important step of our journey, to increase understanding and capability to progress the sport and support our current and future first nations participants.

Held on the traditional lands of the Turrbal and Yuggera people, hosted by Nat Heath, TRIMOB Founder, proud Noongar & Martujarra man, and artist Ambrose Killian, proud Eastern Arrernte and Western Bundjalung man, the workshop included cultural awareness and sensitivity training as well as an interactive workshop, the beginnings of AusTriathlon’s RAP artwork to be created by Killian.

“NAIDOC Week is always such an important week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the festivities and celebrations during the week provide us with an elevated opportunity and insight into our culture,” said Killian.

“It means a lot to be able to share culture throughout the week and plant seeds and start conversations that hopefully trickle out beyond NAIDOC Week and foster long term, special relationships.

“I am excited to share my story and my family’s story on a deeper level with the AusTriathlon team, during NAIDOC Week and give some insight into why I paint, what inspires me and some history on Aboriginal Art as well as doing some hands-on learning with the team.

“It is a pleasure to play a part in the journey of seeing more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in triathlon.”

Following NAIDOC week, Killian will also embark on the Tour de Deadly, riding 1,000km in 7 days, from 18 to 25 July, across regional and remote QLD/NSW to showcase and celebrate First Nation’s culture and connection to country.

AusTriathlon is proud to partner with TRIMOB to develop the organisation’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.

TRIMOB is a 100% First Nations led organisation, who are committed to empowering First Nations Australians to improve their health and wellbeing using the sport of triathlon (swimming, biking & running), as the vehicle.

Nat Heath

TRIMOB Founder

Nat Heath founded TRIMOB in 2020, with the goal of empowering more First Nations people through the sport of triathlon.

More about Nat

Nat Heath founded TRIMOB in 2020, with the goal of empowering more First Nations people through the sport of triathlon. Nat first started competing in the sport in 2011 after suffering from Guillian Barre Syndrome in 2010, which left him with paralysis through out his body and in a wheelchair unable to walk. After being advised by the doctor that he would unlikely ever have the same speed, strength or endurance, a fire ignited in Nat to make some drastic changes in his life and prove the doctor wrong by completing a triathlon 8 months later.

Nat has since gone onto complete 7 IRONMAN’s including the World Championships in Kona-Hawaii in 2015 and has qualified again in 2024. He has also completed multiple marathons including running 100km in a day for NAIDOC week in 2020 and raised over $26K for charity. Nat is now sharing his love and passion of the sport to empower more mob to improve their health and wellbeing.

Nat has over 20 years experience working with First Nations people and communities in areas such as education, health and social policy. He was previously the NSW Manager of the First Nations team in early childhood and education, where he led the development and implementation of the co-designed First Steps Aboriginal Children’s Early Childhood Education Strategy, he also designed the Ninganah No More Aboriginal Early Childhood Children Language Program.

Ambrose Killian

Artist /Triathlete

Ambrose is an Eastern Arrernte, Wahlubul man, Artist and Designer, Amateur Triathlete and father.

More about Ambrose

Ambrose is an Eastern Arrernte, Wahlubul man, Artist and Designer, Amateur Triathlete and father. Born in Darwin and moving to Brisbane at a young age resulted in a large yearning for family and country, to which he connected to via painting and sharing stories from a young age when he was not back in Darwin with family. He was also heavily dependent on sport as a vehicle for community and identity, having competed in multiple National and Pan-Pacific games in athletics, touch, Senior grade AFL and basketball, sport was pivotal in shaping him into who he is today.

Now being a father, he understands and appreciates how much culture and sport empowered him and got him through his youth and hopes to share his passion for both through the lens of endurance sport and triathlon, and his passion for sharing culture to uplift First Nations people and educate all Australians.

https://ambrose.studio/

Visit the news archive