Students, accompanied by staff members and special guests, gathered at Port Macquarie High School to witness the raising of the Aboriginal flag recently.
The ceremony was held to commemorate NAIDOC Week which fell in the July school holidays.
NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day of Observance Committee and has become the acronym for NAIDOC Week which runs annually in the first full week of July and has been officially running since 1957.
The theme for this year is ‘Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on’.
Uncle Bill O’Brien delivered ‘Welcome to Country’ followed by an acknowledgement read by Tahlicia Johnston.
Sam Anderson-Lange officiated as the MC.
Other students to speak on the theme of the Tent Embassy included Lindsy Isaac-Davis, Teagan Davey, Cody Temple-O’Brien and Lateasha Tipler-Ruttley.
To conclude the ceremony, Rachel Isaac read an inspirational poem, ‘Dare To Be written by Steve Marboli.
The Aboriginal flag was then raised by Coen Davis to the recorded sound of the digeridoo. The assembled group clapped in appreciation.
The school’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Teri Boyle, then invited the Aboriginal Elders and community members to have morning tea with staff which was served by some Aboriginal students.
