From Sorry to Action

A Celebration of First Nations Culture and Creativity. 

A selection of artists from Perridak Arts on two art walls and two exhibition cases at the Ballarat Library to acknowledge Sorry Day 2026 through National Reconciliation Week AND NOW EXTENDED UNTIL MID JUNE

Perridak Arts is a proudly First Nations-ownedPAST EVENT and operated cultural space located on Wadawurrung Country in Ballarat. Dedicated to showcasing the creativity, stories, and cultural knowledge of First Nations artists from Ballarat and surrounding communities, Perridak Arts is an important part of the region’s growing arts and tourism landscape.
Owned and operated by the Ballarat & District Aboriginal Cooperative, it provides a welcoming space where culture, connection, and creativity come together.
Perridak Arts helps support First Nations artists and contributes to the continuation of storytelling, cultural practice, and community connection for future generations.
We acknowledge the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which Perridak Arts stands and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.  We also acknowledge the wider Aboriginal community of Ballarat and honour their strength, survival, and ongoing connection to culture and Country.

 Explore Ballarat's history through a different lens.
A collaboration between Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and Wadawurrung community members, this self-guided walk invites you to experience the heart of Balla arat through the eyes of Wadawurrung people and the broader First Nations community who

reside here.

This self-paced tour commences at the Ballarat Mining Exchange and covers ten sites within the Ballarat City Centre. Scan the QR codes at each site with your mobile device to access the audio content for each location, and a map link to the next site. 

A map outlining all ten locations and a suggested route can also be found at the event's website link for your team to adventure to in the CBD across NRW2026 and beyond.

Closes:  2 August 2026
Time: 11am – 4pm (guided tours on the hour) - Entry Fee
Location: Barwon Park Mansion, 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea

Wayngurrla – To Make Good pays homage to the reciprocal relationships between Wadawrruung kin kin bil and the owners of the property, the Austin family.

This exhibition celebrates the lived experiences of first custodians’ ancestors, and how they were interwoven with those of the Barwon Park Mansion. 

Artists: Aunty Marlene Gilson OAM and her children Robert, Dr Deanne, Tammy and Barry, alongside her grandchildren, Blair, Indigo, Max, Arlo, Piper and Mia.

Featured painting is Thomas, King Billy and the Duke by Marlene Gilson.

PAST SOLD OUT EVENT - 21 May

a responsive audience of over 100 people that didn't want the show to stop. 

The melting pot of goldrush multiculturalism birthed a vibrant musical culture. Songs were written, shared, adapted and changed. They told stories of hope and hardship, new chums, and the yearning for distant homelands. These songs have been passed down through time, gifting us deep insights into life on the Victorian goldfields.

Through a contemporary lens, local musicians Hap Hayward, Freya Josephine Hollick, and Phil and Trudy Edgeley revisited and reimagined these unsung musical gems. To complete the evening, each performer  presented an original song drawing on folk storytelling themes of hope, hardship and the rebel spirit.

Photo of Phil and Trudy Edgeley

A Ballarat Heritage Festival event presented by the Eureka Centre Ballarat.

National Reconciliation Week.

27th May-3rd June

The City of Ballarat and Community partners are 'All In' with a National Reconciliation Week Launch to Mark the Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. 

A total of around 350 people joined City of Ballarat Mayor, Wadawurrung Elder and members, KEAG Advisory Committee representatives as community for this 

flag raising and

Panel event.

This collaborative event welcomed 

one and all.

A moving documentary by a deadly Grandson.

Ballarat Library - Atrium

PAST EVENT -   #NRW26

In 1925, the Australian Museum commissioned three statues of Aboriginal people, a man a woman and a child. The woman was Nellie Walker. Watch as her great-granddaughter, Aunty Irene Ridgeway goes on a journey to reclaim Nellie’s story.  Directed by award-winning Ngarigo, Yuin, and Awabakal filmmaker Daniel King. Free event.

Reserve your seat - Screenings in the Atrium: Her Name is Nanny Nellie (PG) • National Reconciliation Week 2026 • Ballarat Library 

 Ballarat Library and Wadawurrung

PAST EVENT 27th May

This cultural education session was presented by Shannen Mennen, member of Wadawurrung. There were 45 participants who learned about the Wadawurrung Healthy Country Plan, the impacts of colonisation, the resilience of Wadawurrung People, and how we can work together caring for Country.   

Passionate discussion extended beyond the workshop with 

many keen to learn more.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.  

PAST EVENT 2026

Location:  Shrine of Remembrance. World War II Forecourt, Birdwood Ave, Melb.

 In the spirit of reconciliation, we remember and recognise the service, sacrifice, dedication and loyalty of all the First Peoples who have served for Australia, as well as those who are currently serving. 

First Nations people have served in conflict and peacekeeping missions involving  Australia for over a century. For many years, their service and sacrifice was not  recognised or commemorated. In 2006, the late Aunty Dot Peters AM, a descendant of the Yorta Yorta and Yarra Yarra  peoples, and Healesville RSL Sub-branch President Retired Flight Sergeant Asim (“Sam”)  Halim held a remembrance service to recognise First Nations servicemen and women.  That same year the Aboriginal flag was raised at the Shrine of Remembrance.  The service is delivered in the spirit of self-determination by the Victorian Aboriginal  Remembrance Committee in partnership with the Victorian Government. The annual  service takes place during Reconciliation Week and gives Victorians the opportunity to  pay their respects to First Nations service men and women, both past and currently  serving. 

PAST EVENT 2026

Guildford Biyal (Red gum) Honouring Day with DJAARA and 

Mount Alexander Shire Council

If you have a photo of this tree - taken last week, or twenty years ago - tag @DjaDjaWurrung with the hashtag #GuildfordBiyal – we’d love to share your part of the story in the lead-up to the Guildford Biyal Honouring Day. 🌳 

**Ballarat based artisan and proud Narrunga woman Sarah Jane Hall is one of the many commissioned artists involved in the Guilford Biyal Project**

'This will be a significant opportunity to bring the community together, celebrate, and honour this much-loved tree.'

BADAC Main Road Youth Activity

Monday 1st June 4pm - 5pm 

 16 First Nations primary school aged children got super bzzzzy at this session with Kelsie and Lenka.

They discovered that there are over 2000 types of native bees and learnt how small actions can make a big difference for local biodiversity. 

 Through a live demonstration, the little ones learned how to design and build bee‑safe, environmentally friendly bee hotels using sustainably sourced materials, and take home the skills and inspiration to support native bees in their own backyard or community. 

Held during Reconciliation Week and aligned with the theme “All In”, this workshop invited little ones to come together to learn, build and care for Country, recognising that protecting nature is a shared responsibility 

 Friday 5 June, 4pm – 5pm (AEST)

This Reconciliation Week, join Gunai woman Kirli Saunders (OAM) to explore her stunning picture books, poetry, and storytelling in an online teacher professional development session.

Learn how to effectively integrate First Nations' perspectives and language into your teaching and explore the literary devices that make Kirli's writing so compelling.

This session will include practical strategies and resources to engage students in meaningful ways, promoting a deeper understanding of Australian Indigenous cultures and the power of storytelling.

 Reconciliation Week with Kirli Saunders Teacher PD