NAIDOC Week 2020
Hastings Deering Celebrates NAIDOC Week 2020
NAIDOC week invites everyone to embrace the true history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of generations. Postponed from its original date in July, NAIDOC week is being celebrated from the 8-15th November 2020.
The 2020 theme is – Always Was, Always Will Be - and is celebrated not just in our Indigenous communities but also across community organisations, local councils, workplaces, schools, and sporting groups.
Celebrating NAIDOC Week provides Hastings Deering the perfect opportunity to be a respectful, welcoming, and understanding workforce, and is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the Hastings Deering reconciliation journey.
This year Hastings Deering were officially endorsed by Reconciliation Australia for their first ever Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The RAP outlines Hastings Deering’s initial strategy to demonstrate ways the organization and staff will publicly commit to the national goal of reconciliation.
During the development of the RAP, Amunda Gorey was commissioned to produce a piece of art inspired by the Hastings Deering history, people and footprint and illustrating the journey Hastings Deering has taken.
THE STORY OF THE HASTINGS DEERING ARTWORK
The heart (centre piece of the painting) represents their beginning as a company in Alice Springs in 1948;
The four larger circular pieces in yellow and black signify our countries of operation;
The additional circles around the outside are the various business centres, or meeting places, for employees and customers as they journey along the pathways to come together, share stories and connect.
The four red embellishments around the centre are symbolic of their values of no harm, transparency, integrity and care;
The artwork honours 65,000 years of ancient history and over 70 years of operations as a Cat® dealer on or near lands traditionally owned by Indigenous peoples.
THE STORY OF AMUNDA (KNGWARRAYE) GOREY
Amunda (Kngwarraye) Gorey is an Eastern Arrernte woman, originally from Santa Teresa in the Northern Territory. Amunda Gorey is one of the younger generation of artists who paint in the Eastern Aranda or “Keringke” style. This style involves the use of intricate patterns and detail usually in vivid colours.
Growing up in a time before technology and the internet, art kept the family busy.
“I’ve tried my hand at pottery, batik, sketching, painting, drawing and after I finished boarding school, I took up painting with acrylics and saw it as more than just a hobby. That’s when my art career started,” said Amunda Gorey. “Painting in this contemporary style gives me much joy and relaxation - it’s my "me" time.”
“Growing up without all the technology that we have now, we spent most days playing outside, going out on bush trips with the family or Mum usually kept us busy with art supplies.”
Amunda mainly paints stories about her childhood, family, women & children, and being on the land as well as flora & fauna.
An experienced community health researcher, Amunda is a specialist in facilitating First Nations/Western relationships. She has worked on several research projects, working with First Nations communities across the Northern Territory, undertaking and supporting research. In all her roles, Amunda has worked as a liaison between Western and First Nations organisations, ensuring community voices are upheld and respected.
WHAT DOES NAIDOC MEAN TO AMUNDA?
“NAIDOC WEEK for me is a time where all Australians should and can come together and celebrate ATSI achievements and celebrate one of the world’s oldest cultures and be proud of it, whether you are Aboriginal or not.”