Armidale Regional Council is proud to support and collaborate with groups and organisations from across the community, celebrating NAIDOC Week 2024 with a great program of events in Armidale.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.
“The theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites everyone to stand together,” said Cyril Green, Aboriginal Community Development Officer at Armidale Regional Council.
“Fire represents the enduring strength of Indigenous Cultures, passed down through generations despite great challenges. It connects us to the land and each other.”
A broad program of community events celebrating Indigenous identity and offering a safe space that empowers people to stand tall, has been coordinated by Armidale’s NAIDOC Week Committee. Events have been created and will be delivered in collaboration across the community.
This year’s program includes:
Sunday 7 July
- 10am – Church service and morning tea at Christian Outreach Centre
Monday 8 July
- 11am – Flag raising and lunch at Booloominbah Lawns, University of New England (Oorala Aboriginal Centre)
- 11am – Dance workshop by New England Dance Theatre
Tuesday 9 July
- 10.30am – Morning tea at Armidale Hospital (Hunter New England Health)
- 10.30am – Anaiwan language session at Armidale Town Hall
- 10.30am – Morning tea – ‘Brothers and Tiddas in the Dale’ at McCarthy Building Courtyard (Community Corrections)
- 6pm – Free film evening at Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place (ACCKP), ‘Bran Nue Dae’ for adults, and ‘Aussie Bush Tales’ kids session (ANTaR)
Wednesday 10 July
- 9.30am-3pm – ‘Walkabout Barber’ at ACCKP (Armajun)
- 10am-3pm – NAIDOC Community Fun Day (3 on 3 Basketball) at The Den, Armidale Secondary College (Pathfinders)
- 10am-2pm – Services Expo and BBQ Sausage Sizzle at ACCKP (Services Our Way)
- Pop Up Store / Hat designs at Armidale Town Hall (New England Family Support)
- Weaving Workshop at Armidale Town Hall (Gabby Briggs)
Thursday 11 July
- 9.30am-3pm – ‘Walkabout Barber’ at ACCKP (Armajun)
- Stalls, Dancing, Arts & Crafts in Armidale Mall (Women’s Shelter)
- Art session at Armidale Town Hall (Newarra)
- Launch of Photographic Exhibition at Community Support Hub (Homes North)
- Children’s Disco at Minimbah School Hall (Challenge Community Services)
Saturday 13 July
- Deadly Fest’ at Armidale Jockey Club (Headspace)
“We are looking forward to a full week of community activity during NAIDOC Week – and a few extra great events that will be held alongside that week,” Mr Green said.
“Programs such as this are one part of larger collective efforts that assist in the creation of a future where stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated – and enrich us all!”
For more about these events, go to Council’s events page: www.armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au
More about NAIDOC Week 2024: www.naidoc.org.au
