Celebration for NAIDOC week

Aboriginal Art Directory | 10.07.10

THE official opening of NAIDOC Week celebrations in the Whitsundays were held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Tuesday.

NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) week takes place annually between July 4 and 11.

The week celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and provides an opportunity to celebrate indigenous culture and acknowledge the contributions of indigenous Australians in different fields.

About 70 people, indigenous and non-indigenous, flocked to the Proserpine Entertainment Centre for the opening event.

Proserpine resident Shane Maza's family originate from Thursday Island.

He and others were showing art work at Tuesday's event and doing art demonstrations for the crowd to enjoy.

Some kids also tried their hand at playing the didgeereedo.

Mr Maza said the best thing about NAIDOC is that it brings the Australian community together.

“It [NAIDOC] brings everyone together, indigenous and non-indigenous people,” he said.

“We brought in our artwork show what Indigenous art is all about.”

The celebrations also included Gundoo Dreamtime Dancers from Mackay, a performance by young girls of Proserpine, traditional Indigenous face painting and the flag raising ceremony.

Members of the local indigenous community Bryan Youse and John Brady raised the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal flag, respectively, while Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt raised the Australian flag.

URL: http://www.whitsundaytimes.com.au/story/2010/07/08/cultural-celebration-for-naidoc-week/

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