Wagga Wagga to mark NAIDOC week

Wagga Wagga to mark NAIDOC Week - 1 July 2015

Wagga Wagga will celebrate Indigenous culture when a rejuvenated NAIDOC Week kicks off on 5 July.

This year’s national NAIDOC theme is “We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn,

Respect & Celebrate” and there will be a number of new fun and interactive activities occurring each day of the week.

The week will start with a street parade hosted by local Aboriginal community consultative group Mawang Gaway, followed by an official ceremony and morning tea at Wagga Wagga City Council.

Through the week TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, will be holding a Community Day and Services Expo, while the Office of Environment and Heritage will be hosting a breakfast to celebrate the Aboriginal Place declarations of various culturally significant sites within Wagga Wagga.

Following the breakfast, local Wiradjuri man and Local Land Services representative James Ingram will be the guide for a cultural tour hosted by the Wagga NAIDOC Committee.

Bookings are essential for the tour, which features cultural demonstrations and includes a lunch to be enjoyed at The Rock Nature Reserve.

Families are catered for with the family night at Forum 6 featuring an Indigenous short movie followed by Minions.

The highlight of the NAIDOC Week calendar is the Masquerade Ball and Awards, which will recognise the community members who work tirelessly throughout the year and are positive role models for the community.

The community are also invited to attend the closing ceremony at Wollundry Lagoon on Sunday 12 July, which will feature local musicians and the chance to take part in traditional weaving.

Along with a free lunch and local art stalls, you can also trade in an old bike helmet for a new Indigenous-themed helmet provided by Roads and Maritime Services.

Bookings for all ticketed events can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com.au –search Wagga NAIDOC.

To download the full program and for contact details for each event, head to www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/naidoc.

Media opportunity

What: NAIDOC Week Opening Ceremony

Where: Civic Centre, corner Morrow and Baylis streets

When: 11.30am, Sunday 5 July