Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

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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