Let’s celebrate NAIDOC Week!

Cessnock City Council is proud to have worked with the local community to present NAIDOC Week 2021 with a fantastic program of events on offer for everyone to enjoy.

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NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and is a great opportunity to recognise, enjoy and learn about cultures in our local community.

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is ‘Heal Country’ and calls for all Australians to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage.

NAIDOC Week activities and events for all ages and interests are being held across the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA).

Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service (CYCOS) are taking celebrations online with an ‘Ask Us Anything’ session and cooking demonstration on their Facebook page. For the little ones, Cessnock City Libraries will hold a NAIDOC Week Story Time on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 July sharing both songs and stories.

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) will host a morning of free film screenings on Monday 5 July, Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation is running a day of traditional weaving and string making workshops at Marthaville Arts and Cultural Centre on Saturday 10 July, and the Cessnock Chambers of Commerce is putting on a special NAIDOC Week business breakfast on Tuesday 13 July. This year’s celebrations will culminate in a day of performance, workshops and community on Saturday 17 July at Wollombi Cultural Centre.

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent encourages our local community to check out the program and join the NAIDOC Week festivities.

“Getting involved in NAIDOC week is a great way to connect with and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of activities that provide so many different opportunities for the community to get involved in.”

Events to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021 will be held from Monday 5 July to Saturday 17 July. The program of events is available online at www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/NAIDOC or you can pick up a copy from Council’s Administration building, Cessnock City Libraries or participating venues.