NAIDOC Week Celebrations

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The theme for NAIDOC Week 2009 is 'Honouring our Elder's, Nurturing our Youth'. Parkes will be holding a number of activities and celebrations for NAIDOC Week 2009 between Thursday 2 July and Thursday 9 July,

Each year awards are presented during NAIDOC Week to recognise the achievements of local Indigenous people who excel in their field and who are inspirational role models. These awards include 'Person of the Year' and the 'Youth of the Year'. Nominations are now open for each category and close 22 June 2009. You can pick up a nomination form from the Parkes Aboriginal Multi-Purpose Centre (PAMC), 338 Clarinda Street, Parkes or phone 02 6862 4327.

Activities taking place in Parkes to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2009 include a Community Dinner Dance, a Town Procession and celebrations in Cooke Park, an Indigenous Art Exhibition, a Koori Careers & Service Expo at the Parkes High School and the official unveiling of the Welcome to Wiradjuri Country sign at Peak Hill.

The Community Dinner Dance will be held on Friday evening 3 July in the Auditorium at the Parkes Leagues Club from 6.30pm. Everyone is invited to attend and tickets are just $35.00 per head available from the Parkes Leagues Club or the PAMC. There will be an official welcome and acknowledgements plus an award presentation for Person of the Year. Tickets include a 2-course meal and live entertainment from a local Peak Hill band, so come along and enjoy a fun-filled night.

On Sunday 5 July, the whole community is invited to participate in the Town Procession at 10.30am followed by activities and celebrations in Cooke Park including a flag raising, announcement of the Indigenous Youth of the Year, official addresses and entertainment followed by a BBQ lunch.

The Koori's Careers & Services Expo will be held in the Parkes High School hall on Tuesday 7 July from 10.00am until 1.00pm. Communities, schools and the general public throughout the Central West area are invited to attend the Expo to learn more about what services are available to assist them and to discover career paths for their future. The expo will involve a number of career personnel, government agencies, community based colleges, employment agencies ,TAFE NSW and various universities.

The Indigenous Art Exhibition will be displayed in the Coventry room of Parkes Shire council from Thursday 2 July through until Sunday 5 July. The exhibition is a great way to celebrate Indigenous culture and language and well as the contribution of Indigenous people to contemporary Australia. There will be an official opening night Thursday evening from 6.00pm, drinks and nibbles provided. The community can view the exhibition Thursday to Saturday between 10.00am and 5.00pm and Sunday from 12.00pm - 4.00pm. All Indigenous artists are invited to enter the NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition with entries closing Friday 26 June 2009. Entry forms are available from the Parkes PAMC in Clarinda Street.

The exhibition will also feature a children's story and drawing competition. Children are asked to write a story and create a drawing that represents something heard or learnt from an elder or parent about growing up. The story and drawing is to be completed on one A4 Sheet of paper and will be displayed in the Coventry Room and judged in the during the exhibition.

The official unveiling of the Welcome to part of Wiradjuri Country Signage will take place on Thursday 9 July at 10am at the sign site at Peak Hill. Mayor Ken Keith and Wiradjuri Linguist Stan Grant Senior will conduct the unveiling followed by community morning tea.

Taking part in NAIDOC Week is a great way to celebrate Indigenous culture and celebrate these achievements with the community as a whole. You can download a copy of the events schedule below.

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NAIDOC Events Schedule