‘Keep the Fire Burning! Black, Loud and Proud’ is the theme for NAIDOC Week 2024 and there’s plenty happening across the region to celebrate this year.
This theme calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It invites all Australians to listen, learn and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
While NAIDOC Week may be a celebration of our First Nations people, history and culture, since it became a week-long event back in 1975, everyone is encouraged to take part in the host of events that start this week.
What’s on in the Illawarra
- Thursday 4 July: Wollongong Art Gallery at 11am, free performance of music and dance by the internationally acclaimed Eric Avery. This show is fully booked.
- Saturday 6 July: Coomaditchie NAIDOC Exhibition. Starts at 11am at the Servo Food Truck at 6-8 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla. Includes a smoking ceremony, food trucks, a free BBQ and, of course, great local Indigenous art. The exhibition will be on display from 6-14 July.
- Monday 8 July: Shelharbour NAIDOC Community Day, from 11am-2pm at Shellharbour Civic Centre.
- Tuesday 9 July: Warrawong NAIDOC 10th anniversary Family Fun Day from 10am-1pm at Darcy Wentworth Park, Carlotta Crescent, Warrawong. The event will include a free St George Illawarra Dragons football clinic.
- Thursday 11 July: Koonawarra NAIDOC Family Fun Day from 10am-2pm at the Koonawarra Community Centre, Fowlers Road, Koonawarra. The event will include cultural workshops, performances, stalls, live music, prizes and giveaways and a free BBQ.
- Friday 12 July: Dapto NAIDOC Week Community Event from 10am-12pm at Dapto Railway Station. This event will include a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, traditional dancing, didgeridoo performance, kids’ activities, a coffee truck and sweet and savoury treats using Indigenous ingredients.
- Wednesday 17 July: Bellambi NAIDOC After Party from 10am-1pm at Bellambi Surf Club. Everyone’s invited to join the celebration which includes dance, song and live music. There will also be boomerang throwing workshops, an Elders Tent, a sausage sizzle and delicious soups to sample.
- Saturday 20 July: Sandon Point NAIDOC Week Family Event from 10am-4pm at the Sandon Point car parking area, includes a smoking ceremony, live music and BBQ.