Black Creek Aboriginal Corporation chair Susan Corbet said Cessnock’s NAIDOC celebrations are growing every year.

Prior to the march there was a flag raising ceremony at Cessnock TAFE grounds and an acknowledgement of country as the land of Wonnarua.

In line with this year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Serving Country – centenary and beyond’, the guest speaker was Brigadier Peter Clay who acknowledged the part Aboriginals have played in military service.

The street parade went from the TAFE campus down Vincent Street and back around to the TAFE where people took part in family activities.

NAIDOC Week activities continue this week at the city’s libraries, with basket weaving workshops on Thursday at Kurri (10am-12pm) and Cessnock (2pm-4pm).

ART EXHIBITION OPENS SATURDAY

As an extension of NAIDOC Week, Cessnock Regional Art Gallery will present Dheo-ka, an exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal painting by nine of the Lower Hunter’s most prolific artists.

For the second year, Wonnarua elder and award-winning artist Les Elvin has brought together a group of painters who express the diversity that is Aboriginal art today.

Modern interpretations of traditional Dreamtime stories share the walls with abstract works inspired by the experience of contemporary Indigenous life.

The artworks of Michelle Dederer, Glen Dennis, Saretta Fielding, Caroline Cunningham, Vicki Purvis, Perry Russell, Leslie Salem and Uncle Les himself offer rare insight into the styles and issues that occupy today’s Aboriginal artists from our region.

This exhibition should be of special interest and relevance to all art students and those engaged in Aboriginal and cultural studies.

It is a bright, colourful and engaging exhibition that should not be missed.

Everyone is welcome to celebrate the official opening of Dheo-ka at the Gallery at 2pm this Saturday. Entry is free.

The exhibition will run until August 3.