NAIDOC Week was celebrated from 3 to 10 July. ‘National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, (NAIDOC) has evolved into an annual, week-long celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The 2016 theme is ‘Songlines: the living narrative of our nation’.
To share some of the events and stories from the week, I followed up with some of FRSA’s Members, and although I cannot share all the stories from all our members, below are a few of the events that were held throughout Australia.
ACT
On Tuesday 5th of July, Marymead Child & Family Centre, in collaboration with other Canberra based services, held a NAIDOC event, holding a smoking ceremony, entertaining crowds with talented Indigenous musicians, a opportunity for children to get creative creating Indigenous inspired artwork and view the talented Torres Strait Islander dancers.
WA
UnitingCare West located in WA, held a number of activities across all their services. In particular at UCW’s Tranby Centre, which held a week-long series of NAIDOC events including Aboriginal art classes, traditional dances and a cook up featuring kangaroo stew and damper.
WA
Relationships Australia WA participated in a variety of NAIDOC celebrations, but the main celebration was a co-hosted sausage sizzle with Rotary Wanneroo for the NAIDOC Perth opening ceremony at Elizabeth Quay.
Djinda staff attended the NAIDOC Peth Ball, RA also sponsored the Kwinana Little Peeps NAIDOC Ball for children aged 0-11 years. Shannon, an Aboriginal Resource Worker, performed some smoking ceremonies and dances at various school events and the Champion Centre.
QLD
Bundaberg and District Neighbourhood Centre located in South Queensland held a flag raising ceremony, with BNC staff participating as judges for the ‘Tiny Tots’ pageant (3 to 6 years). The children were judged on their milestones, general knowledge and presentation.
NT
Catholic Care NT Katherine celebrated NAIDOC with a morning tea on 4 July at Community Garden (Food Ladder) with the help of staff volunteers.
CCNT also hosted ASCI’s Indigenous outreach program at CCNT Katherine office on 6 July. Following a welcome to country by CCNT, staff took a part in NAIDOC March (8 July), starting from Town Centre and ending in Mimi art Centre.
If your organisation has an upcoming event, we would love to help spread the word and promote it to our wide e-bulletin audience and promote it via our Events & Training Calendar on the new FRSA website. Submissions can be made to Roslyn.
