NAIDOC Week will be celebrated across Australia next month, with a full catalogue of programs and events scheduled for Moree and the wider district.
The year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, aims to showcase the achievements of the past as well as the path that lays ahead.
A Naidoc Week opening service will be held at Moree Anglican Church at 4pm on Sunday, July 6 to officially launch local celebrations.
Also scheduled is a barbecue lunch and damper-making competition at Moree Hospital in the Lizzy Doolan Room from 11am on Tuesday, July 8.
Dampers need to be home-made and entries must include a list of ingredients.
The following day a Naidoc Sitting Day will be observed at Moree Abcare’s Balo Street offices and on Thursday, July 10, Anglicare will launch its Reconciliation Action Plan between 2pm and 3pm, with RSVP required to Jamalla.williams@anglicare.org.au.
On Saturday, July 12, Moree Junior Rugby League Club will host the girls’ tackle Naidoc Week Cup at Boughton Oval for 13s, 15s and 17s teams, with nominations closing June 30.
The Neville Cutmore and Vincent Tighe Memorial lawn bowls competition will be held at Moree Services Club from 8.30am on Saturday, July 5.
Interested players can contact Rod Tighe on 0477 915170.
Inside the club the same day, the Joy Duncan Memorial snooker competition will be played, with nominations to Lal Fernando on 0421 865745.
This year celebrates Naidoc Week’s 50th anniversary.
In 1975, it was decided by the then-National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) to hold a week-long celebration and the event has since grown in stature and cultural significance.
With a growing awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture to become NAIDOC.
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee found its roots with the emergence of Aboriginal groups about 100 years ago, which sought to increase awareness of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Naidoc Week celebrations across the nation will be held from Sunday, July 6 to Sunday, July 13.
Moree Online News will feature all Naidoc Week events and programs across the Moree Plains as they come to hand. All participating organisations, club and individuals are invited to email details to bill@moreeonlinenews.com.au.
