BYRON SHIRE Mayor Simon Richardson encouraged residents to take the time to join in the NAIDOC Week celebrations commencing July 3 and learn more from our incredible Indigenous community.
“Sometimes the connection to place and its importance to our well-being and sense of identity, can be lost in today’s fast paced life.
“This connection is one of the truly inspiring gifts that our Aboriginal elders and young people share with us today.
“Here at Council we are honoured to start NAIDOC Week with our flag raising ceremony. If you can, join us in recognising our mob and say thank you for their care for country and strong leadership,” he urged.
Everyone is welcome to attend the NAIDOC week events and for more information, or to download the program, go to www.byron.nsw.gov.au/naidoc-week.
NAIDOC week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week 2017 runs between 3 and 6 July. A range of NAIDOC Week events will be held in the Byron Shire hosted by the Byron Shire Council and its partners.
Events during NAIDOC Week include:
- Monday, 3 July at 10.30am – Flag Raising Ceremony. Byron Shire Council Chamber
- Monday, 3 July at 5pm – Bundjalung Art Opening. Byron Bay Surf Club Main Beach. The exhibition will run from 3 to 7 July
- Tuesday, 4 July at 6 pm – Arakwal NAIDOC Film Night. Byron Community Centre. Presented by Flickerfest, iQ and Arakwal Corporation. Tickets $10/8
- Wednesday, 5 July from 11am to 3pm. Mullumbimby Family Fun Day. Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre, 55 Dalley Street. Welcome to Country, cultural performance, imagine the earth, bush tucker planting and tasting, art and craft, music, dance and children’s activity program
- Thursday, 6 July from 10am. Bundjalung of Byron Bay Family Cultural Day. 10 am – Railway Park then march to Main Beach. 11 am – Denning Park, Main Beach, Byron Bay. Come along and join the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) and the community in recognising the valuable contribution of Aboriginal people and culture. Activities and entertainment until 2pm. Cultural showcase including Aboriginal Dancers, music, loads of activities for the kids and a free BBQ.
The national theme for this years’ NAIDOC Week is Our Languages Matter and aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
“The week is a great opportunity to learn, participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,” Mayor Richardson concluded.