Camden Council is gearing up to celebrate NAIDOC Week, which kicks off this Sunday (6 July).

Residents are invited to come along to our official Flag Raising Ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday 8 July, 10am, at 70 Central Avenue, Oran Park. It will feature a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country, Mayoral message, and a special performance by Camden Family Daycare.

Following this will be Council’s community celebration with Indigenous garden games,

information stalls and services, bush tucker, Boomerang painting, didgeridoo workshops and more.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, said NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in July of each year and this year marked 50 years honouring Indigenous peoples.

“This week celebrates the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

“This year’s theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’. This celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

“I am encouraging everyone to join us at our events next week, so we’re able to come together to honour and celebrate the rich culture and contributions of First Nations peoples.”

Wondering how else you can get involved in NAIDOC Week? Council has created NAIDOC colouring-in sheets; you can watch Binyang from Paint the Town REaD take you through the meanings and actions of the Acknowledgement of Country song; and you can dive into some of the books on the NAIDOC Celebration Book List created by Camden Paint the Town REaD.

For more information on Council’s event, as well as to get involved with the additional activities available, visit https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/community/support/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities/naidoc-week