CELEBRATE HISTORY, CULTURE AND ACHIEVEMENTS AT NAIDOC COMMUNITY DAY

Shellharbour City Council will recognise NAIDOC Week and celebrate the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community at the NAIDOC Community Day on Monday 8 July.

NAIDOC Week will run from 7-14 July 2024 and this year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’, in honour of the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.

The NAIDOC Community Day will be held at the Shellharbour Civic Centre on Monday 8 July from 11am-2pm, with activations in both the front lawns and backyard near Yirran muru, the multi-award winning Aboriginal Interpretive Playspace.

The event will begin with a traditional Smoking Ceremony by Gumaraa, a Welcome to Country by Uncle Gee and the official flag raising ceremony. This will be followed by a FREE BBQ lunch and family-friendly activities from over 30 local organisations.

Highlights of the day include a dance experience with Gumaraa, learn how to weave with Buribun Art, a Boomerang Art activity with AT Culture and an opportunity to watch a mural come to life with Coomaditchie.

Other activities include mandala drawing, scratch art, bead threading, mindfulness colouring, virtual reality, sensory activities and more.

Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer encouraged everyone to come along and get involved.

“The NAIDOC Community Day is such an important event in Council’s cultural calendar and while it is an opportunity to celebrate, it is also a time for reflection,” Mayor Homer said.

“I look forward to seeing people from across the City come together to recognise the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.”

Free parking is available beneath the Civic Centre.