The annual celebration of indigenous culture in Orange, NAIDOC week, is set to begin.
Everyone is welcome to participate and get involved in the week of events starting Friday 20 October.
Orange City Council Deputy Mayor, Gerald Power is looking forward to the start of NAIDOC Week.
“NAIDOC Week, with its theme this year of ‘For Our Elders’, invites all Australians to acknowledge our history that dates back tens of thousands of years, embrace our culture and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Cr Power said.
A street march for the official opening of NAIDOC week in Orange will be held beginning at 10am on Monday 23 October. The march starts in the car park in Sale Street between Summer and Byng streets.
“The theme this year reflects on the importance of elders and how they played a crucial role across the generations,” Cr Power said.
Following the street march, ceremonies will be held in Roberston Park from 10.45am.
NAIDOC Week 2022
The ceremony will include traditional dances, a flag raising and award presentations to local indigenous students, as well as a free sausage sizzle for all the community. Local service providers will also be available to assist with community enquiries.
“I invite the community to join us at the flag raising ceremony and to share some morning tea,” Cr Power said.
During the week-long celebration, Orange Regional Museum will also honour aboriginal culture with a dedicated exhibition in the foyer of the museum.
The exhibition celebrates Orange’s local elders through the eyes of the next generation.
The exhibition is produced in conjunction with the Orange NAIDOC Week Committee, the NSW
Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, and local elders.
“Elders are recognised for their leadership, knowledges, progressions, advocacy and care for others,” Cr Power said.
The NAIDOC Community Awards Night will conclude the week of celebrations on Saturday 28 November. This event will be held at the Orange Ex-Services Club.
Tickets for the event can be purchased here: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/39513/2023-orange-naidoc-ball
Other events such as a Family Fun Day, Ladies Night Out and a NAIDOC Elders Lunch are also on the program.
Discover all the NAIDOC week events on the Council calendar: https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-services/naidoc-week/.
