Across our regions: celebrating NAIDOC week

Across our footprint, our regions have been celebrating NAIDOC week! From group activities recognising culture and tradition, to attending local events – here’s what some of our regions have been up to so far this week:   

Burdekin

The Burdekin community came together at the Mental Health Hub on Monday to celebrate NAIDOC Week with a day of culture, connection and community spirit.

Recipients joined community members for traditional dance performances, storytelling, face painting and a bush tucker workshop, before enjoying a meal prepared by Bina’s Kitchen.

The event provided an opportunity to celebrate local stories and cultures while bringing people together through shared experiences. 

Charters Towers

Recipients at the Charters Towers Clubhouse have spent the week taking part in a variety of NAIDOC Week activities celebrating culture, creativity and caring for Country.

Throughout the week, recipients created NAIDOC banners and posters, prepared damper and stew, explored Aboriginal-inspired artwork, participated in nature walks, learnt about native plants and took part in yarning circles, traditional games and discussions about caring for country.  

The celebrations will continue with the community NAIDOC parade on Friday! 

Moranbah

The Moranbah Clubhouse marked NAIDOC Week with a range of creative activities that encouraged recipients to learn, reflect and celebrate culture together.

Recipients enjoyed making damper, creating NAIDOC-inspired artwork, designing boomerang scratch art and crafting their own NAIDOC badges throughout the week. 

Palm Island

Recipients from the Palm Island Clubhouse joined the wider community for the official opening of Palm Island’s NAIDOC Week celebrations at Clock Tower Park.

The event featured a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country led by Uncle Alan, the Manbarra Elders and Rangers, followed by cultural performances, community stalls, food and activities.  

This year’s celebrations recognise the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week under the theme 50 Years Strong, Still Deadly, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Richmond 

Recipients from the Richmond Clubhouse travelled to Hughenden on Tuesday to join Flinders Shire Council’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.

The day included art and craft activities, a fishing competition and a free community lunch, with recipients enjoying the opportunity to celebrate alongside neighbouring communities.

Richmond will also host its own community NAIDOC celebrations on Thursday.

Townsville

Hundreds of people gathered in Townsville this week to mark an important milestone, celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC Week at the annual NAIDOC breakfast.

selectability program coordinators Jackie and Sam, along with quality improvement officer Marisha, attended the event, which recognised the history of NAIDOC in Townsville while celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

The Townsville team will continue the celebrations by joining Friday’s NAIDOC march and Deadly Day Out alongside the wider community.