Cessnock City Council has partnered with local community groups to put together another exciting program of events for NAIDOC Week across the local government area, and everyone is invited to join in.
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NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and provides a great opportunity to recognise, enjoy and learn about these cultures in our local community.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, but the celebrations are now held in the first full week of July.
The theme for NAIDOC Week 2017 is ‘Our Languages Matter’.
The language traditionally spoken in most of the Cessnock LGA was the Wonnarua language and there are groups across the region who are working to revitalise this.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent encourages the community to check out the program and join the festivities.
“It is fantastic to see such a wide range of activities that provide so many different opportunities for the community to get involved in,” Cr Pynsent said.
“There are many highlights in our local program including workshops, family fun days, the annual Cessnock street parade, the Koori Cook-off and two exhibitions opening at the Cessnock art gallery.”
While NAIDOC Week officially runs from July 2 to 9, Cessnock’s celebrations will continue into August.
PROGRAM
Monday, July 3
Fines workshop – Samaritans Information and Neighbourhood Centre (198-202 Vincent Street), 10am-10.40am. Presented by the Office of State Revenue. Free entry, morning tea provided.
It’s OK to Walk Away (information session on how to have the confidence to reject high pressure sales tactics) – Samaritans Information and Neighbourhood Centre, 11am-11.40am. Presented by the Office of Fair Trading. Free entry, morning tea provided.
Aboriginal Culture, Art and Language workshop – CYCOS (49D Aberdare Road), 11am-2pm. Free entry, bookings preferred on 0401 107 413.
Kurri Kurri Community Health flag-raising – Kurri Hospital, 10am. All welcome.
Tuesday, July 4
Barkuma Family Fun Day – Rotary Park, Kurri, 10am-2pm. Free entry, all welcome.
Saturday, July 8
Black Creek Aboriginal Corporation family fun day, flag-raising ceremony and street parade – Cessnock TAFE grounds, 10am-2pm. Free entry, all welcome.
Ngani Barray This Country and Indigenous Art and Culture exhibition opening – Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, 5pm.
Wednesday, July 12
Koori Cook Off – Cessnock District Hospital, 12pm. (Check out last year’s event here.)
Thursday, August 3
‘Tiddalick the Frog’ book presentation – Cessnock Public School, 3pm.
Friday, August 11
NAIDOC Dinner Dance – East Cessnock Bowling Club, 7.30pm. Tickets: $35 adults, $15 under 12s. Call 0422 574 972 for bookings.
WHAT’S ON AT THE LIBRARIES
Wonnarua - Living Language – exhibition of the Wonnaurua language. July 1-8 at Cessnock and Kurri libraries.
Bush tucker plant giveaway – one free tree per household on presentation of your library card. Monday, July 3 until stocks run out at Cessnock and Kurri libraries.
NAIDOC Storytime – Cessnock Library, July 4, 10am; Kurri Kurri Library, July 5, 10am. Ages 2-6, free entry.
Aboriginal Art: Gratitude Rocks – Cessnock Library, July 6, 10am-12pm; Kurri Kurri Library, July 6, 2pm-4pm. Ages 7+, cost $5, bookings required (Cessnock Library 4993 4399, Kurri Kurri Library 4937 1638).
Storytelling - Our Dreaming Stories – Presented by Tracey Coombes. Participants will be guided through a visual storytelling lesson, and create their own artworks. Cessnock Library, July 7, 10am-12pm; Kurri Kurri Library, July 7, 2pm-4pm. Ages 7+, cost $5, bookings required (Cessnock Library 4993 4399, Kurri Kurri Library 4937 1638).
