NAIDOC Day wheels are in motion

KOORI youth worker Clinton Davis has his work cut out for him, organising activities for the region’s upcoming National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) event.

NAIDOC Day will pay tribute to our local Aboriginal community and will be hosted by the Wollongong Northern Districts Aboriginal Community (WNDAC).

As the newly appointed Youth Worker for WNDAC, Mr Davis said the event will strive to acknowledge, commemorate and unify the local Aboriginal community.

“It’s a day when the Aboriginal community come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people,” he said.

“(It is all) about providing a sense of belonging.”

The day will commence with a ‘welcome to country’ speech by Aboriginal elder Roy ‘Dootch’ Kennedy, acknowledging past and present elders.

“The speech (will be) a way for the Aboriginal community to pay (their) respects and remember elders who were once (and are) a part of the community,” Mr Davis said.

Activities will include beading and jewellery making, mural painting with local Koori artist Kevin Butler and didgeridoo lessons with Mark Mongta.

A free barbecue sausage sizzle lunch will also be provided on the day and all

The event will be held at the Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre on Friday, July 18 from 10am to 2pm.

To find out more on the event, or on upcoming projects WNDAC is currently developing, call 4268 6283.