Barkuma is in the process of developing a cultural centre called Binarri Jinama-Gu at the Old Maitland Road property, and the family fun day will be its first event at the site.

Centre manager Tshinta Sommerville said it will be a space where the Indigenous community can feel welcome and share their culture.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2018 is ‘Because of her, we can’, and Ms Sommerville paid tribute to Barkuma’s CEO Deb Dacey for her efforts in helping to establish the cultural centre.

“Deb is the reason Barkuma exists and has been able to assist so many in the Aboriginal community,” she said.

​“Because of her, we can have a voice in the community, a sense of identity and a place to belong.

“The success of Barkuma and the development of Binarri Jinama-Gu is a credit to Deb's passion and hard work over the years.”

Previously held in Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri, Barkuma’s family fun day has become a popular event over the past six years.

This year’s event will run from 10am to 2pm, with service provider stalls, kids’ activities, a bush tucker sausage sizzle, Fire for Fun demonstrations, and entertainment by Lexi Ross and Jed Kinch.

Binarri Jinama-Gu is located at 1075 Old Maitland Road, Sawyers Gully.

A shuttle bus will pick up from Barkuma’s Charity Outlet (148 Lang Street, Kurri Kurri) at 9.30am, 10.30am and noon. Call 4937 1094 for bookings.

Officially NAIDOC Week is celebrated nationally in the first full week of July, but like many communities across the country, the Cessnock local government area program has spilled over into June and August.

Activities in June included the sell-out ‘Stolen’ at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, a series of art workshops for young people and their families and the biannual Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation’s NAIDOC Week Awards Night.

Don’t worry if you missed out, get a hold of a program, there’s still plenty to get involved in, with the celebrations running to August 12.

This year’s theme is ‘Because of Her, We Can’ and is all about recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The theme shines a light on the role Indigenous women play in our communities and families, and celebrates their achievements, many of which have been overlooked and forgotten.

Kiray Putjung chair Susan Mulyk said the 2018 theme celebrates the invaluable contribution Aboriginal women have made at all levels in society, culturally and politically.

“Strong Aboriginal women are achieving in law, education, politics, health, the arts and in the fight for equal rights all while nurturing and raising the next generation of leaders,” Ms Mulyk said.

The local community has embraced this year’s theme and several special NAIDOC Week art projects have joined together for the first NAIDOC Week Art Trail.

This is a partnership between Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation, Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, Cessnock City Council, CYCOS, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Libraries and Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre, and is an exciting new addition to the program, and one that will hopefully continue. 

The artworks on display include ‘Gathering Stories’, an exhibition of portraits of inspirational women by artists including Lesley Salem, Saretta Fielding, Tamika Elvin and Aunty Cynthia.

The exhibition can be viewed from Friday, July 6 and there will be an opening on Saturday, July 14 at 5pm at the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery.

Aboriginal Education Team (AET) public school students from the Mighty Eagles AET(Bellbird), Moani AET (Cessnock West), Kuluwayn AET (Kearsley), The Mighty Burras AET (Kurri Kurri) and Kuwaykuwatka AET (Millfield) are exhibiting individual and collaborative artworks and artefacts inspired by this year’s theme.

Artworks produced through the CYCOS art workshops for young people and their families, led by talented Wonnarua artists Lesley Salem and Madeline Jackman, will also be on show.

The exhibition spaces include the Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, the Les Elvin Kungera Gallery at the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Libraries, and the council administration building.

If you haven’t got plans for Saturday, July 7, head along to TAFE Park for the annual Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation NAIDOC family fun day.

There will be a flag raising ceremony starting at 10am, then a procession will leave the park for a street parade along Vincent Street, before returning for a wonderful day of music, culture, food and activities.

If you’re all booked up Saturday not to worry, we’ve got you covered. On Tuesday, July 10 Barkuma’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day is on at its new location in Sawyers Gully. Don’t miss the absolutely delicious bush tucker sausage sizzle! 

Cessnock and Kurri Kurri libraries have a huge program this year including a fascinating talk on the Aboriginal cultural history of Wollombi, workshops in art, basket weaving and family history, a native plant giveaway, a local language exhibition ‘Wonnarua Words’ and a performance from Stanford Merthyr Infant School Boys Dance Group.

NAIDOC Week is a whole of community celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, art, music and people and is a key event for the City of Cessnock.

Everyone, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, is invited join in and celebrate our community.

So if you haven’t been to NAIDOC Week celebrations before, this year you’re encouraged to come and participate. 

Programs are available at Cessnock City Libraries, Council Administration Building and online at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/NAIDOCWeek.

Cessnock City Council would also like to acknowledge the support of Aboriginal Affairs NSW. 

Wednesday, July 4 

Corroboree at Cessnock High School – 4pm start, featuring Birrawal dancers, bush tucker, information stalls and more. Call the school on 4990 1977 for more information.

Intergenerational Aboriginal Art Workshop – Cessnock Library, 5pm-6pm, $5 per person. Bookings essential; call the library on 4993 4399.

Thursday, July 5

Cultural Treasures of Wollombi– a talk by Leanne King at Cessnock Library, 5.30pm-6.30pm.

Friday, July 6

Gathering Stories exhibition opens at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, featuring portraits of inspirational women and other artworks by Lesley Salem, Saretta Fielding, Tamika Elvin and Aunty Cynthia. Runs until August 12.

July 6-August 12

NAIDOC Week Art Trail – Cessnock Regional Art Gallery, Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Libraries, and Council Administration Building.

Saturday, July 7

Family history workshop – Cessnock Library, 10am-12pm.

Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation NAIDOC family fun day and street parade – Cessnock TAFE Park, 10am-2pm. Flag raising, street parade, music, culture, workshops, stalls, food and kids’ activities.

Monday, July 9

Basket weaving workshop – Cessnock Library, 11am-12.30pm, $5 per person. Bookings essential; call Cessnock Library on 4993 4399.

Tuesday, July 10

Barkuma’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day – New location: ‘Binarri Jinama-Gu’ (1075 Old Maitland Road, Sawyers Gully), 10am-2pm. Call 4937 1094 for more information.

Koori Cook-Off – Kurri Kurri Hospital, 10am. Come along and learn some new recipes, and try some surprising ingredients.

NAIDOC Storytime – Cessnock Library, 10am-10.45am. For kids aged 2-6.

Wednesday, July 11

NAIDOC Storytime – Kurri Kurri Library, 10am-10.45am. For kids aged 2-6.

Basket weaving workshop – Kurri Kurri Library, 2pm-3.30pm, $5 per person. Bookings essential; call the library on 4937 1638.

Native plant giveaway at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries. Present your library card to receive one free native plant per household. While stocks last.

Thursday, July 12

Bush Tukka Cooking for Young People – Cessnock Youth Centre, 11am-2pm. Bookings essential; call 4993 4355.

Wednesday, July 25

Stanford Merthyr Infants School boys’ dance group performance – Kurri Kurri Library, 2pm.