NAIDOC Week is always a special time in Lake Macquarie. Our City has a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and they have a strong sense of cultural identity.
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I like to think that most people in our community who come from different ancestry also have an appreciation of Naidoc Week and an understanding of its importance both to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and, indeed, all Australians.
This year’s celebration was extra special because the theme, Because of Her, We Can, shone a light on the women in our Indigenous communities.
As Mayor, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to publicly pay tribute to some of these women and see them take centre stage at our annual Naidoc Week ceremony, held at the council administration building.
Our ceremony this year was presented almost entirely by women, and hosted by amazing female role model Maree Edwards, who was this year recognised with a Women in Local Government award for her invaluable work as Council’s Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer. Many female Elders were also part of the ceremony, including Aunty Selena Archibald, Aunty Cecilia Enoch, Aunty Phyllis Darcy and Aunty Anne Pearce.
Naidoc celebrations continue into this week with the Eastlakes Family Fun Day to be held from 10am to 3pm at the Pelican foreshore on July 20, featuring John Paul Young.
