Region prepares to celebrate 2024 NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week 2024 is 7 to 14 July.
The theme for this year’s annual event is ‘Keep the fire burning, Blak, loud and proud’, which speaks to the long-lasting power and energy of First Nations culture.
NAIDOC originally stood for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The committee was responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and this acronym has since become the name of the week itself.
The week-long event celebrates and shares the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The theme of fire represents the bond to the land, to one another, and to the diverse range of customs that make up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
According to the most recent archaeological evidence, Aboriginal peoples have been living on this land for at least 65,000 years, confirming they are the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
Lake Macquarie City Council will support this year’s NAIDOC Week by injecting $15,000 into community events.
“It’s so important we support these celebrations in our community and continue to showcase this rich culture which spans tens of thousands of years,” says mayor Kay Fraser.
The week-long program will begin with a Flag Raising ceremony at Lake Macquarie City Council Administration Building, Speers Point, from 9am, followed by morning tea.
The NAIDOC Cup is for selected Indigenous footballers aged 13 to 16 to represent Northern NSW Football against Indigenous teams from Football NSW.
This year’s NAIDOC Cup coincides with NAIDOC Week and will be held at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in Speers Point, from Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 July. Spectators of all ages welcome.
Young artists are invited to explore the magical world of sand art at Lake Macquarie’s Museum of Art and Culture yapang in Booragul.
From 10.30am to 11.30am school-aged children will receive a pre-printed design on a 250gsm adhesive board (measuring 20 x 20cm) and colored sand for a journey of creativity, celebrating NAIDOC Week and the rich tapestry of First Nations cultures.
Cost is $8 and bookings essential.
Join Elder Uncle Amos from Muurung Marai as he shares Indigenous Language through song, dance and puppets in a special NAIDOC Week storytime at Morisset Library on Friday 12 July from 2pm to 3pm.
Children aged 3 to 10 are invited to this free event and must be accompanied by an adult.
Newcastle Museum is playing host to an exclusive NAIDOC Week screening of The Last Daughter.
The free screening will be from 2pm to 2.30pm on Tuesday 9 July. This compelling documentary tells the powerful story of Brenda, an Aboriginal woman who seeks to reconcile her two families and cultures.
Follow her journey, uncover hidden truths, and explore the themes of reconciliation, identity, and belonging in this PG-rated film.
Newcastle City Library will be home to a Stringybark Rope Making class and Silent Disco with proud Worimi, Birpai and Wiradjuri man Uncle Amos Simon.
On Thursday 11 July children aged five to 10 are invited to share in Awabakal, Gathang and Wiradjuri language and enjoy music by Aboriginal artists in a mini silent disco, from 10am to 11am.
Cost is $5 and bookings essential.
Health practitioner and proud Darkinjung woman Sarah Corrigan from Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective is hosting Family Wayapa Wuurk at Wallsend Library on Friday 12 July from 10am to 10.45am.
Wayapa is an earth connection practice that is based on ancient Indigenous wisdom, focusing on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating Earth Mind Body Spirit well-being. Mindfulness and Indigenous inspired movements allow for a healing space through yarning, sharing and connection.
This event is free, and all ages are welcome.
Singleton will be celebrating NAIDOC Week with a free Family Fun Day event on Wednesday 10 July.
The Singleton NAIDOC Committee has organised a variety of activities for the day, kicking off with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, speeches and cake-cutting, followed by a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through song and dance by local Indigenous children and families.
People of all ages can get involved in cultural workshops including painting, storytelling, traditional dance, weaving, bush tucker tasting and boomerang throwing.
The event will be held at Singleton Showground from 10am to 2pm.
MuswellbrookNAIDOC Fun Day at Victoria Park, Muswellbrook will include Aboriginal dancing, art and weaving, free Aboriginal food tasting, jumping castles and rides, face painting, petting zoo, and plenty of service providers on Sunday 14 July, from 10am to 2pm. All ages, Free.
CessnockTo mark NAIDOC Week 2024 the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre will showcase the ‘Les Elvin Kungera Art Gallery’ daily, a Barkuma NAIDOC Family Fun Day will be held at Binarri Jinama-Gu on Tuesday 9 July, and a community lunch including Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony with Wonnarua Elder and Custodian Uncle Warren Taggart, will be hosted by the Centre at Kurri Kurri, Kurri Kurri Rotary, Mai-Wel and Castle Employment on Thursday 11 July.
For the little ones, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries will host a NAIDOC Week Storytime presented by Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July, including storytelling, movement and nature-based craft to introduce children to Wayapa Wuurrk, an Aboriginal based earth mindfulness.
The 2024 festivities will culminate in a day of performance, workshops and community on Saturday 13 July at Cessnock TAFE Grounds, starting with Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation Flag Raising and Welcome to Country from 10am.
Everyone is invited to attend to celebrate Aboriginal culture through weaving workshops, entertainment, an Elders marquee and market stalls on Saturday 13 July 2024 from 10am to 3pm at TAFE Park, Cessnock. All ages. Free
This year, Port Stephens is igniting a week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture for the national NAIDOC Week celebrations from Sunday 7 July to Sunday 14 July.
The theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning’ reflects the ongoing need to preserve the rich traditions and knowledge of First Nations people, while fostering stronger connections within the community.
Building on past collaborations with the Worimi and Karuah Aboriginal Land Councils, the week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Port Stephens. The Port Stephens NAIDOC week celebrations are starting early on Thursday 4 July, allowing local students to attend and participate before the school holidays begin. Festivities kick off with a flag raising ceremony at the Council Administration Building at 10am, followed by a march down William Street, and Family Fun Day at Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace. Other NAIDOC Week celebrations across Port Stephens include:
Murrook Family Fun Day (8 July): Activities and entertainment at the Murrook Culture Centre. Nelson Bay NAIDOC Event (10 July): Participate in a march followed by a Family Fun Day at the Nelson Bay foreshore. Koori Colours Clay Class with Jason Russell (11 July): Learn to make your own coolamon with a Worimi artist (bookings required). NAIDOC Youth Event (12 July): Engage in cultural and youth activities at the Wahroonga/PCYC Carpark. Author Visit: Lorraine Lilley (12 July): Hear a local author’s story about growing up Aboriginal in the region (bookings required).Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
