Council offers diverse range of activities for NAIDOC Week

Council’s annual NAIDOC Flag Raising morning tea activities will be on Monday, July 3, from 10am to noon in the Civic Precinct and will include guest speakers, a digeridoo accompaniment and cultural performances.

A local cultural weaver, Nitari, will also be sharing her cultural weaving story during morning tea.

Mayor Greg Williamson said it was tremendous to have the Tchundal Malar Dance Group and the Torres Strait Island Dancers at the morning tea to perform.

“These dance groups really do put on an amazing display of traditional dance that sets the scene for the flag raising,” Mayor Williamson said.

“One of the best things about these groups is the way senior members pass down their traditional dances to the next generations – it’s heart-warming to see new young dancers each year getting involved and preserving their culture,” he said.

“In fact, this year, at the ceremony, there will be a focus on acknowledging our local Indigenous elders, past and present.

“We have so many amazing elders in our region that do so much to make our community a better place, especially when it comes to working with young people and acting as role models and teachers.”

Artspace Mackay is also celebrating NAIDOC Week with special opening hours from 10am to 1pm on the Monday to align with the flag raising.

Mayor Williamson encouraged those coming to the flag raising to also visit Artspace Mackay and check out Dylan Mooney’s amazing wall artwork.

“Dylan, who is a local Yuwi, Australian South Sea Islander and Torres Strait Islander man, has created an amazing work that covers the foyer wall in Artspace and is inspired by rising sea levels and the impact on island communities,” he said.

Mackay Regional Council Libraries will also have NAIDOC art exhibitions on show inspired by the “For Our Elders” theme.

Local artists, who are also community elders, will have their works showcased at Dudley Denny City Library and Gordon White Library from Saturday, July 1, until Monday, July 31, during open hours.

Local artists Anita Wano-Sumner, Charlie Wicking, Ed Rigby and Peter Ah Mat will have their works featured.

During NAIDOC Week, Libraries will also be featuring the “Hi, I’m Eddie podcast”, which follows the story of Eddie Mabo; two film screenings, Utopia and Black and White; and a leaf painting craft activity.

To book your space or to find out more about at any of these programs, head to mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries/whats_on or call the Libraries on 4961 9387.

Council’s Arts Development team are also offering a very special opportunity to join renowned contemporary dancer Patrick Thaiday in a one-and-a-half-hour workshop on Thursday, July 6, from 10am to 12.30pm under the fig tree near the Jubilee Community Centre.

The workshop will include learning about Patrick’s cultural background, sharing of language and artifacts, learning some traditional drumming techniques and a contemporary Indigenous dance tutorial. This workshop only has limited spaces available and will fill up fast. It is open to participants from all cultural backgrounds.

For more information or to book a place, please contact council’s Arts Development officer Lara Russell at lara.russell@mackay.qld.gov.au

For more information on council-supported NAIDOC Week activities, please visit mackay.qld.gov.au/naidoc