General News
27 June, 2024
Maryborough's 2024 NAIDOC event a success
Local NAIDOC Week celebrations have been deemed a success, with hundreds of residents attending the Maryborough Pony Club yesterday to join the festivities. The event marked the 13th NAIDOC Week in Maryborough, with the theme for 2024 ‘Keep the...
Local NAIDOC Week celebrations have been deemed a success, with hundreds of residents attending the Maryborough Pony Club yesterday to join the festivities.
The event marked the 13th NAIDOC Week in Maryborough, with the theme for 2024 ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’ encapsulating the rich tapestry of identity, culture and traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Those attending were able to take part in the traditional smoking ceremony, see a performance from the BAARLINJAAN dance group and participate in a number of workshops as well as visit stalls.
“NAIDOC in our community has become an increasingly big event, it is important for our community to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in a really positive manner,” Maryborough Education Centre principal David Sutton said.
“We have got a really great turnout, beautiful weather for it, a lovely venue and I think that we have been treated to a really special event.
“I always enjoy seeing young people from the schools across the shire coming together and engage with the performances and the activities.”
Central Goldfields Shire Council mayor Liesbeth Long agreed with Mr Sutton’s comments and said student participation is integral to the event.
“I’ve been attending for four years and to see everybody come together and celebrate the rich history of the oldest culture in the world and to see the schools get involved is great,” she said.
“To have children attend this event and then to go home and tell their parents about NAIDOC is a really powerful thing.
“This event just gets better every year and everyone has seemed to embrace it — I am so proud that council’s involved with this and it’s such a great collaboration between all these local groups to celebrate.”
NAIDOC Week officially runs from July 7 to July 14 this year. For more information on NAIDOC Week, visit www.naidoc.org.au
