Tweed locals are celebrating the contributions of Indigenous Australians during NAIDOC Week, until July 6.
The theme of this year’s event was chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and acknowledges the key contributors to its history.
Activities are taking place at different locations in the Tweed Shire, beginning with a flag raising ceremony at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Museum in Tweed Heads South on Sunday which was attended by Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Barry Longland.
Councillor Longland said he looked forward to joining in the celebrations and would attend several of the week’s events.
“The NAIDOC festivities are about recognising the contributions made by indigenous Australians in a variety of areas and gives all Australians the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the uniqueness of the Aboriginal culture and its importance to today’s multicultural Australia,” Councillor Longland said.
“Local indigenous groups have taken the lead during most of the week’s festivities, however, the celebrations aim to include the entire Tweed community and all are welcome.”
“I will be present at the week’s Street March and Dinner Dance and hope to see many Tweed residents join me in celebrating this important week.”
A church service at the Minjungbal Museum followed Sunday’s flag raising ceremony, after which celebrations started in earnest with a Cultural Day and Curry Night at the Minjungbal Museum on Monday, July 2.
On Tuesday, the Minjungbal Museum hosted the induction of an outstanding member of the local Aboriginal community into the ‘Indigenous Hall of Fame’.
The museum was also the location for a morning tea organised by Bundjalung Home Care on July 3.
Arkinstall Park hosted a health expo and sports day featuring a touch competition on Wednesday.
On Thursday (today), an Elders Day is being held at the North Burleigh Surf LifeSaving Club from 12pm until 4pm.
Teenagers, 15 years and under, are invited to a fancy dress disco on Thursday evening at the Tweed Heads PCYC.
The week’s celebrations will come to a close on Friday, July 6, with a NAIDOC Street March starting at the Civic Centre in Brett Street, Tweed Heads at 10am followed by a corroborree at Goorimahbah in Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads, at 11am.
The final event of the week will be a Dinner Dance at the Cudgen Leagues Club on Friday night from 6.30pm until midnight.
For more information, please contact (07) 5536 1763 or (07) 5524 2275 or Council’s Aboriginal Development Officer on (02) 6670 2400.
