Ballina prepares to celebrate NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week will again be celebrated in the Ballina Shire this year. Celebrations will be held between Sunday 5 July and Sunday 12 July.
NAIDOC Week is recognised nationally as a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in various fields.
The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2009 is Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth.
This year’s National NAIDOC Committee advises “the theme aims to encourage our communities to acknowledge the status of our Elders as leaders and role models for our youth”.
The National NAIDOC Committee promotes the celebration of NAIDOC throughout the nation, encouraging and assisting communities to hold recognition activities.
Activities to be held in the Ballina Shire have been jointly co-ordinated by the Bullinah Goori Services Action Group and Ballina Shire Council.
Activities include on Monday 6 July a Celebration Walk along River Street, from the Ballina RSL Club car park to the Ballina Visitor Information Centre.
All community members are encouraged to participate in the walk which commences from 9.30am.
Following the walk is a formal Welcome and Flag Raising Ceremony, guest speakers, Aboriginal dances and performances, art exhibition and refreshments served in the Richmond Room.
On Monday evening Aboriginal Elders will celebrate at an Elder’s dinner.
Ballina and Cabbage Tree Island Primary Schools will also be celebrating with a special school assembly to be held on Tuesday 7 July. On Wednesday 8 July a Service Providers Stalls Day will be held at Cabbage Tree Island where service providers will promote their provision of services to the local Aboriginal community.
The Bullinah Goori Services Action Group extends a welcome to all community members to join in on celebration events. Further NAIDOC week event details may be found on the Ballina Shire Council website.
