Celebrate NAIDOC Week in Wagga Wagga
Published: 26 Jun 2024 10:39am
National NAIDOC Week 2024 commences on Sunday 7 July and will continue until Sunday 14 July with a huge program of events across the community - there is something for everyone!
NAIDOC Week is held annually during the first week of July to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!'
The theme seeks to showcase the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying First Nations voices and committing to positive change.
Council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer Michaella Alexander said Wagga Wagga should be proud of the diverse range of NAIDOC celebrations happening in our community.
“It's fantastic to see so many community groups and organisations planning meaningful NAIDOC activities to give everyone in Wagga Wagga an opportunity to participate, learn, share and celebrate,” Ms Alexander said.
“Based on community feedback, we are focusing this year on presenting educational activities and opportunities for local Elders and cultural knowledge holders to share their skills and knowledge.
“Council is working with Elders and the community to come together and march down Baylis street along with a flag raising ceremony on Monday 8 July followed by local First Nations performances.
“The march will start on Morgan Street (near Baretta Lane), then head down Baylis Street to the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre where the flag-raising ceremony, Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony will take place at approximately 10:30am.”
On Tuesday 9 July, people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are invited to join a night-time stargazing event with local cultural knowledge holders at the Museum of the Riverina.
Council’s Youth and Community Development Officer Mel Fattore said the activity is a great opportunity to explore the stars like never before.
“We are excited to work with local Wiradyuri knowledge holders and an amateur astronomer to host a night of wintery stargazing,” Mel Fattore said.
“The activity is suitable for all ages and abilities, and will include taking participants on a tour of the Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri exhibits at the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site before heading outside to the telescopes to explore the stars.”
Tickets are $10 plus booking fees and will include light refreshments.
If you or someone you know is experiencing financial difficulty and would like to attend this event, please contact Council's Community Development team via 1300 292 442 or first.nations@wagga.nsw.gov.au
NAIDOC events will be held across the city throughout the week, including the Wagga NAIDOC Week Ball and Awards on Saturday 6 July, RivMed's NAIDOC Celebration at the Wagga Wagga Showground, as well as community events at Kooringal Hub, Tolland Hub, Ashmont Community Resource Centre, and Ngurra Youth Hub in Ashmont.