The event at the park was part one of local NAIDOC celebrations with a two-day camp being held in the Capertee Valley in October as part two.

NAIDOC Week in Lithgow is held later in the year than normal celebrations around the country to coincide with our warmer spring temperatures.

The day didn’t disappoint with plenty of sunshine for guests which included a large contingent of school children.

This year’s national theme was Songlines – The living narrative of our nation.

The celebrations officially opened with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Owen Smith and a Smoking Ceremony by Aunty Gloria Rogers.

Local musician Bridget Cama performed during the smoking ceremony, singing in Aboriginal language and English.

She was followed by local school choir performances who also used Aboriginal language in their songs.

Portland Central School won the very-hard-to-decide NAIDOC poster competition. 

Schools paraded their posters around the event with Nyree Reynolds and Aunty Carol Cooper carefully deliberating on who would win from all the fine entries.

Other activities and performances on the day included a barbecue lunch, cultural workshops, Indigenous games, jewellery-making, story-telling, face-painting, arts and crafts, and information stalls.

Wiradjuri Aboriginal dancing group Thikkabilla Vibrations who are from Dubbo enthralled the audience with their movements and singing before inviting everyone up to join them.

“NAIDOC Week plays a vital role in bringing our community together,”said Viktoria Gulabovski, Council’s Community Development Officer.

“Each year NAIDOC Week provides all of us with the opportunity to learn more about the oldest living continuing culture on the planet. 

“It was awesome seeing Aboriginal culture on display in our local community.”