This year’s NAIDOC Week, with the theme 50 Years of Deadly, gave our teams a chance to be part of local community events and celebrations.
Geraldton’s community engagement team visited four schools in the lead-up to NAIDOC Week – Champion Bay High School, Bluff Point Primary School, Beachlands Primary School and Waggrakine Primary School. Young people came together with community organisations and service providers for conversations, activities and cultural celebration. At three of the schools, our community engagement officer’s created original artwork for students to paint and bring to life, which was then gifted back to the school as a thank you for their ongoing partnership and support.
Northam joined a community event on Ballardong Noongar Boodja, with our Aboriginal Youth Support Worker leading traditional dance and playing didgeridoo around a fire – a meaningful celebration of the deep connection to Country felt in the region. Our Youth Access Clinician spent the day with young people creating red, yellow and black smash art canvases, a creative and therapeutic activity that’s always a favourite. More than 30 canvases were created over the course of the day.
Once again, the Meekatharra team’s NAIDOC Ball was a huge success, giving young people and the wider community the chance to dress up, enjoy a fun night out and dance. While the event celebrates the next generation, it’s embraced by all ages as a joyful way to connect as a community. It’s a whole day event, with outfits donated and hair and makeup stations available to ensure young people walk into the event feeling their best.
These celebrations reflect the ongoing connections our teams have built with the communities they work in – because celebrating culture and connection isn’t just for NAIDOC Week, it’s all year round.
