Wagga Wagga to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024 with diverse events

The 2024 National NAIDOC Week promises a host of vibrant programs and events across Wagga Wagga.

NAIDOC Week is held annually during the first week of July to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The annual week of celebration, this year themed ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!’ will run from 7 to 14 July and include something for everyone.

The theme seeks to showcase the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplify First Nations voices, and commit to positive change.

Wagga Wagga City Council [WWCC] Aboriginal community development officer Michaella Alexander expressed Wagga’s pride in the diverse range of NAIDOC celebrations happening across the city and the surrounding areas.

“It’s fantastic to see so many community groups and organisations planning meaningful NAIDOC activities to give everyone in Wagga Wagga an opportunity to participate, learn, share and celebrate,” Ms Alexander said.

“Based on community feedback, we are focusing this year on presenting educational activities and opportunities for local elders and cultural knowledge holders to share their skills and knowledge.

“The council is working with the elders and the community to come together and march down Baylis Street.”

Ms Alexander said that on Monday 8 July a flag raising ceremony would be followed by local First Nations performances.

“The march will start on Morgan Street (near Baretta Lane), then head down Baylis Street to the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre where the flag raising ceremony, Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony will take place at approximately 10:30 am,” Ms Alexander said.

Everyone – of all ages, abilities and backgrounds – is invited to a night-time stargazing event with local cultural knowledge holders at the Museum of the Riverina on Tuesday 9 July.

WWCC youth and community development officer Mel Fattore said the activity was a great opportunity to explore the stars like never before.

“We are excited to work with local Wiradyuri knowledge holders and an amateur astronomer to host a night of wintery stargazing,” Ms Fattore said.

“The activity is suitable for all ages and abilities and will include taking participants on a tour of the Wiradjuri/Wiradyuri exhibits at the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site before heading outside to the telescopes to explore the stars.”

Tickets are $10 plus booking fees and will include light refreshments.

First Nations community members and allies can register to walk in the march for free here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial difficulty and would like to attend this event, please contact the council’s community development team on 1300 292 442 or email [email protected].

NAIDOC events to be held across the city throughout the week include:

– Wagga NAIDOC Week Ball and Awards on Saturday 6 July.

– RivMed’s NAIDOC Celebration at the Wagga Wagga Showground.

– Community events at Kooringal Hub, Tolland Hub, Ashmont Community Resource Centre, and Ngurra Youth Hub in Ashmont.

For more information on NAIDOC Week 2024 events in Wagga Wagga, please visit Wagga Wagga City Council’s website.