NAIDOC celebrations are a walk in the park

ANOTHER successful NAIDOC Week has been celebrated across the nation recently and there’s been no better place to observe and enjoy this cultural event than in the Douglas Shire.

NAIDOC has been observed as a week-long event since 1975 and each year has a different topic. It celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is observed, not just in the Indigenous Australian communities, but also in increasing numbers of schools, local councils and workplaces.

For 2023 the NAIDOC week follows the theme ‘For Our Elders’ to honour and celebrate all they have done for the community and families. Elders’ “tenacity and strength” have carried Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the stolen generation. The week started off, on Monday morning, with a smoking ceremony, flag raising ceremony and guest speakers at the main Douglas Shire Council administration building.

Monday also saw the opening of the Kubirriwarra Art and Culture Exhibition at the Port Douglas Community Hall. This display of Indigenous art continues until tomorrow, Saturday.

A highlight of the week, on Tuesday, was the Goobidi Baby Show, now in its fourth year, which looked for the best-dressed boy and girl and offered the prestigious title of “cheekiest personality”.

For the sports-minded, the Netball Fast 5 playoffs at the Port Douglas Sports Complex provided some healthy competition.

Both locals and visitors to the shire were given a great opportunity to enjoy and purchase local Indigenous items at the Mossman Gorge Gateway Markets midweek and this was followed on Thursday with the Elder’s lunch. All comers were invited to enjoy a traditional kurma (ground oven) hot and healthy meal.

As regular readers will know, this fine newspaper hits the streets every Friday, which this week is the day that sees the climax of these great NAIDOC celebrations.

These will include the much loved street parade starting at the council administration building in Mossman, starting today at 10am. The occasion will be supported by parents and school staff members, plus community groups together with both locals and tourists enjoying the fun. People are encouraged to dress in something colourful and join in or alternatively cheer those passing by along Front Street.

The parade will work its way up to Bubu Kinkari or George Davis Park, which will host the climax of the week with ‘A Day In The Park’. This family event will feature the Manjal Dimbi dancers, Boigu Island dancers, Naynay Muluridji music, Nathan Rogers Mossman Chill Out band, plus an open mic and more.

Time to put on my best shirt for the parade I think, so for now it’s Gazza signing out. Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au