04 July 2018
NAIDOC Week is nearly here, and Gunnedah has celebrations for the whole community to enjoy. From 9 July to 15 July there will be a range of activities sharing Aboriginal culture and honouring the rich heritage of the Gamilaroi people.
The official NAIDOC theme for 2018 is ‘Because of her, we can!’ which celebrates the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made – and continue to make - to our communities, our families, our rich history and our nation.
Gunnedah NAIDOC Committee Chairperson Cassy Aldridge hopes everyone will get involved in the weeks festivities.
“NAIDOC is a great celebration of Aboriginal culture, and the Gunnedah community coming together to honour the contribution of Aboriginal women to our heritage, history and community is really important” Ms Aldridge said.
NAIDOC Week will kick off Monday, 9 July with the official flag raising and morning tea at Hunter New England Health from 10.00am.
On Tuesday, 10 July at 5..00pm, The Civic is hosting a free screening of ‘Rites of Passage’, rated MA15+, which has been described as ‘a riveting social commentary about adolescence, life, and survival filmed in a meaningful and powerful way’.
The biannual NAIDOC Awards Night will be held at the Gunnedah Services and Bowling Club from 6.00pm on Wednesday, 11 July, with tickets available from Winanga-Li Aboriginal and Child Family Centre for $15. The NAIDOC awards are an opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge the contributions the award nominees and recipients have made to the Gunnedah community.
On Thursday, 12 July join the Red Chief Local Aboriginal Lands Council for a Cards Night and a shared meal.
‘Because of Her, We Can!’ NAIDOC Exhibition Opening will start at 1.00pm on Friday, 13 July at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery, with refreshments provided. The NAIDOC Exhibition features local Aboriginal artists, with a focus on female artists.
Sunday, 15 July will be the highlight of NAIDOC Week. The NAIDOC March will start from the Red Chief Monument at 10.00am and will finish at Wolseley Park with the Official Flag Raising Ceremony.
The official proceedings are followed by the Annual NAIDOC Fun Day where families can enjoy free carnival rides, arts and craft, first responder demonstrations, ceramic animal painting, ball games, a lolly guessing competition and lolly bags, BBQ, slushies, tea and coffee, education sessions and information, scam protection devices, jewellery making, donuts, a gallery of Gunnedah women and other fun activities for all ages.
“The Community Fun Day at Wolseley Park will be amazing,” Ms Aldridge said.
“There are so many things to enjoy and something for everyone. All the first responders will be present and doing demonstrations, including police, ambulance, fire and SES. This is a first for Gunnedah and we are so excited that they have decided to come on board.”
For more information about NAIDOC community events please contact NAIDOC Committee Chairperson Cassy Aldridge on (02) 6743 0999.
Photo Caption: The community gets involved in NAIDOC Week.
ENDS
Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.
