NAIDOC Week

What is NAIDOC?

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in the first full week in July to celebrate the history and uniqueness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people traditions and culture.

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week, and its acronym has become the name of the week itself.

The week is celebrated not just in the Aboriginal & TSI communities, but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces.

As Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders celebrate NAIDOC Week this year with members of the wider Australian community, we can all remember and respect the traditional and cultural heritage from countless generations of Aboriginal & TSI people on this continent for over 50,000 years

For more information on NAIDOC, download

NAIDOC 2007 Information Kit
(207 Kb PDF

Official NAIDOC website

NAIDOC in the Shire

Sutherland Shire Council holds its NAIDOC event early to avoid clashing with the school holidays.

In 2010, Council's NAIDOC event will be held at the Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, Woronora.

The event start with a traditional Welcome to Country by our local Elders and an official flag raising ceremony.

Council focusses on providing school students with an in depth cultural learning experience. These activities (including boomerang throwing, jewellerymaking, dancing, and ochre face painting) support the Aboriginal Studies curriculum within the schools and further enhanced understanding of local Aboriginal culture.

A NAIDOC Study Guide is available to assist in creating awareness and understanding of local Aboriginal culture.

All students participate in storytelling and activity sessions where local Elders and Aboriginal representatives of our community express their personal cultural experience on the Aboriginal way of life and traditions.

If you would like further information on council's NADOC event, contact the Cultural Planning and Events unit on 02 9710 0999.

Images from 2009

Thullii Dreaming performed the traditional Welcome Dance for our guests.

Official Flagraising by local students.

Local Elder Aunty Deanna talks about growing up on the missions.

Local Elder Uncle Max fascinated the students with his talk on sacred artefacts.

Everyone loved the traditional dancing!

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Cultural Planning and Events in the Sutherland Shire