Singleton’s NAIDOC celebrations will extend to an art exhibition and a rugby league gala day in addition to the annual Community Day at Singleton Showground as this year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years with the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.
The ever-popular Community Day will return to Singleton Showground during the school holidays on Wednesday 9 July from 10am – 2pm, with the whole community invited to share in free activities.
The program includes a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dances and bushtucker tasting along with jumping castles, face painting and more than 30 stalls showcasing local services and businesses.
Singleton NAIDOC Committee has also added to this year’s festivities with the first Pam Payimi – Wonnarua Art Exhibition opening at Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre on Friday 4 July at 6pm featuring the work of local Aboriginal artists, and a Wonnarua NAIDOC Football Gala Day at Pirtek Park on Sunday 13 July showcasing up-and-coming junior talent.
Chairperson of the Singleton NAIDOC Committee, Jade Perry said there was a lot of excitement about the expanded program.
“The purpose of NAIDOC is to bring everyone together to learn about the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all work together in collaboration to unite our community,” she said.
“It’s wonderful that more and more people and services are getting involved in Singleton’s NAIDOC events each year, and we are grateful for the generous support and contribution of Singleton Council and our sponsors Mach Energy ACDF, AGL, BHP and Glencore in making it possible.”
Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said National NAIDOC Week was an important occasion.
“Singleton has been an important meeting place for people for thousands of years—and that’s why I can think of nowhere better for people to come together to learn about the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the spirit of a united community,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to being part of a big crowd at the Singleton NAIDOC Community Day with another big program of activities including a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, and in a perfect school holidays outing, there’s also a long list of free family fun activities including jumping castles, face painting, balloons, a reptile show, free sausage sandwiches, icies and fairy floss and more.”
For more information, visit singleton.nsw.gov.au/naidoc
Photograph caption: Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore, Singleton NAIDOC Committee members Courtney Bott and Jaimie Turner, Singleton Council Community Development Officer Mat Fox, and Singleton NAIDOC Committee chairperson Jade Perry.
Media release and image courtesy of Singleton Council.