It’s NAIDOC Week, and a number of major events were held yesterday to start things off including an Opening Ceremony in Tamworth at the Oxley Lookout,
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for this year is “Blak, Loud and Proud” encapsulating the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering our first peoples to stand tall in their heritage and assert their place in the modern world.
Across the New England, an area with an indigenous population nearly four times the national average, there is a wonderful array of different events and celebrations throughout the week. Check the National NAIDOC local events guide or your local council’s website for more details, but here are a few highlights.
Monday 8 July
MOREE – March from the Dhiyaan Centre from 9.40am, Ceremony and flag raising at Town Hall from 10.15am, Community get together BBQ and lunch at the Rocket Park
Tuesday 9 July
TAMWORTH – Elders Pamper Day, Mara Mara Centre, 11am-3pm
WALHALLOW – 1 Hill St, 9am – 2pm, Cultural performances, traditional food tasting, story telling, entertainment, cultural burn on country
Wednesday 10 July
ARMIDALE – NAIDOC Community Fun Day, The Den Sporting Complex at ASC, Basketball Skills Workshop & 3×3 Competition, 10am to 3pm
UNE – NAIDOC Fair, UNE Lazenby Foyer and the Northern Courtyard, 11am, to 2pm
GLEN INNES – NAIDOC Community Day in the Town Square, 9am to 2pm, includes NAIDOC Recognition Award Ceremony, a march starting from the Town Hall Square, and a free lunch.
TAMWORTH – NAIDOC Oztag Gala Day, Centenary Park, 1pm-3pm
QUIRINDI – Nancy Gray OAM Pavilion, Quirindi Showgrounds, 10am-1pm – family activities, craft, races, games, stalls, BBQ lunch
Thursday 11 July
TAMWORTH – Elders Long Lunch, West Tamworth Leagues Club
Friday 12 July
GLEN INNES – Family Fun Day at King George Oval, 10am-2pm – free barbecue lunch and lots of games and activities.
TAMWORTH – NAIDOC March, 9.30am Assemble at Viaduct Park, along Peel St to Bicentennial Park
TAMWORTH – Family Fun Day, Bicentennial Park, 11am-3pm
Saturday
TAMWORTH – Tamworth NAIDOC Markets, Fitzroy St Plaza, 9am to 1pm
TAMWORTH – NAIDOC Debutante Ball, TRECC, doors open 3pm
ARMIDALE – Deadly Fest 24, Armidale Jockey Club (Racecourse), From 1:00pm – Music festival including First Nations musicians like Mad Proppa Deadly, Terra Firma and emerging musicians and artists and market stalls, talent show, and food stalls.
More to come
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