Maritime Museum to host open day to celebrate NAIDOC Week
The Australian National Maritime Museum will host a free day of family fun on July 5 to celebrate the start of NAIDOC week and honour the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth, exploring stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The day will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Koori Konnections.
From there, the celebrations continue with a range of engaging and educational activities, including:
- Live art demonstration from award-winning children’s book illustrator Dub Leffler
- Weaving workshops with Dunghutti Biripi artist and educator Wanita Lowe
- Face painting with NAIDOC inspired designs curated by Dakota Dixon
- Mixed media workshops with Dunghutti/Gomeroi artist Nioka Lowe-Brennan
- Live music performances throughout the day from Marra-Wanggan Dance Group and Baakanji Kunya musician Ross Knight
“For 50 years, NAIDOC has championed survival, culture, and pride. At the intersection of land and sea, the Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to amplify the oldest living continuous cultures on earth,” Matt Poll, Head of Indigenous Programs, said.
“50 Years of Deadly’ is a declaration that First Nations maritime stories are not history frozen in time—they are living, breathing truths shaping our shared future.”
Song and Dance Performance by Marra-Wanggan Dance Group – The Marra-Wanggan’s all-women ensemble share a vibrant performance of dance, storytelling and song celebrating Yuin culture.
Times: 11:30am, 1:30pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Performance Platform
Dance Experience with Marra-Wanngan Dance Group – Join this open age interactive dance experience led by ensemble dancers from Marra-Wanggan Dance Group. No previous dance experience is required.
Times: 12:00pm, 2:00pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Performance Platform
Live Music with Ross Knight – Enjoy Baakanji Kunya musician Ross Knight as he shares his original songs, stories, and captivating lyrics.
Times: 12:15pm, 2:15pm, 3pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Performance Platform
Mixed Media Workshops with Nioka Lowe-Brennan – Join Dunghutti/Gomeroi artist Nioka Lowe-Brennan for a drop-in mixed media workshop responding to this year’s NAIDOC theme. Use paper collage, paints and mixed media to create a unique artwork that you can keep or leave on display.
Times: 10:30am, 1:30pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 4+
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Ben Lexcen Terrace
Koori Kulcha Pop-Up Kiosk – Join Aunty Marie and the Koori Kulcha street warriors as they serve up a delicious range of native ingredients through complementary sweet and savoury tastings and takeaway available for purchase. Enjoy traditional spices and herbs used in Aboriginal communities featured through their ranges of condiments, catering, and delicious herbal teas.
Times: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Museum Boardwalk
NAIDOC Face painting and drop-in activities in Kids on Deck – Get creative at Kids on Deck Maker Space with hands-on artmaking activities inspired by Brian Robinson’s Ur Wayii Incoming Tide exhibition. Create your own marvellous model watercrafts, stamp a deadly tote bag to take home, and make your own wonderous rubbing art using resist patterns and watercolours.
Get your face painted with gorgeous NAIDOC inspired designs curated by Dakota Dixon
Times: 10:30am – 4pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Terrace Room
2025 Winter school holidays
Drop in live art demonstration and activity with illustrator Dub Leffler – Learn from award winning children’s book illustrator Dub Leffler as he shares his art practice in an engaging live art demonstration and fun-filled drawing activity.
Times: 10am – 4pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 4-12 and accompanying adults
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Terrace Room
Native Animals Magnet Making with Haus of Dizzy – Craft your own cute creative wooden creature magnets using the designs by the acclaimed accessory artists at Haus of Dizzy.
Times: 11am – 3:30pm
Ages: Suitable for ages 4+
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Terrace Room
2025 Winter school holidays children with face paint.
Cosmic Chase – Catch a screening of ‘Cosmic Chase’ a looping, animated battleground where ancient mythology collides with pop culture and arcade-era fantasy. Drawing on the graphic language of Torres Strait artist Brian Robinson and developed in collaboration with S1T2, the projection unfolds as a playful pursuit across a glowing field of geometric flowers, marine motifs, and bold patterning.
Times: 10am – 4pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Bamal Yarning Space
Bamal Gallery Book Nook – While you watch, relax with titles by award winning Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander authors or learn to create woven fish and layered paper florals inspired by Brian Robinson’s art.
Times: 10am – 4pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
Location: Bamal Yarning Space
Cabinet of Curiosities – Saltwater Stories – Drop-in and explore touchable artworks and artefacts from our education collection in this hands-on discovery device.
Times: 10:30am, 2pm (1-hour sessions)
Ages: Suitable for all ages
Booking: No booking required
Price: Free
Location: Museum Foyer
