While the official NAIDOC Week is held in July, celebrations are held at different times across the country to better suit local programs. The 2018 National NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Because of her, we can!’, and celebrates the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made, and continue to make, to our communities, our families, our rich history and to our nation.

The Lithgow NAIDOC 2018 celebrations at the Port Macquarie Homestead will be taking place on Saturday, October 20. Starting at 10am the day will feature some amazing entertainment, workshops, demonstrations and guest speakers. 

The morning will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, and throughout the day visitors will be greeted by the Taronga Zoo Mobile with Uncle Col Hardy and Reptile Show, Wiradjuri Language Workshop, Wiradjuri Dance Workshop and Roping, Weaving and Traditional Weapons Exhibition.

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There will be plenty of live music across the day and evening including Johnny Huckle and Dale Huddleston and the Riverbank, along with an delicious bush tucker lunch. The celebrations will continue into the night with a bush dinner, spotlight tour and and yarns around the camp fire. 

With free campsites available and plenty of other stalls and refreshments, it will be a beautiful day out for all. Organisers would like to remind everyone that bookings are essential and to please call 0408 189 122.

Organisers of the National NAIDOC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Conference that was held in Sydney said that as pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played – and continue to play active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels. 

“All of the speakers and workshop presenters were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman who are leaders, trailblazers, politicians, activists and social change advocates. These women fought and continue to fight, for justice, equal rights, our rights to country, for law and justice, access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate our culture, language, music and art,” organisers said.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Part of the reason it was formed was the idea of transforming the National Day of Mourning (initiated on January 26, 1938) from a simple protest into something that would instead celebrate Aboriginal culture. For more information on NAIDOC celebrations visit https://www.naidoc.org.au/.