It will be a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Residents across the Port Macquarie-Hastings have the opportunity to join in activities planned during the week and experience this year’s theme ‘Songlines - The living narrative of our nation’.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the Dreamtime describes a time when the earth, people and animals were created by our ancestral spiritual beings.

They created the rivers, lakes, plants, land formations and living creatures. Dreaming tracks crisscross Australia and trace the journeys of our ancestral spirits as they created the land, animals and lores.

These dreaming tracks are sometimes called ‘Songlines’ as they record the travels of these ancestral spirits who 'sung' the land into life.

These ‘Songlines’ are recorded in traditional songs, stories, dance and art. They carry significant spiritual and cultural connection to knowledge, customs, ceremony and Lore of many Aboriginal nations and Torres Strait Islander language groups.

NAIDOC Week celebrations will include an official Flag Raising Ceremony on Port Macquarie’s Town Green on Monday, July 4 at 10am, followed by a morning tea at the Port Macquarie CWA rooms.

In the spirit of the ‘Songlines’ theme, the community are also invited to attend an evening of celebration at the Glasshouse on Thursday, July 7 at 6pm.

This will be an evening celebrating the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make within our community, and be filled with performance, collaboration and celebration.

It is also a great opportunity to view the special exhibition opening of artists Milton Budge, Blak Douglas (AKA Adam Hill) & Andrew Snelgar.

Bookings are essential for this free event as spaces are limited. Please call 6581 8888 or visit glasshouse.org.au.

Further information on NAIDOC Week celebrations can be found at pmhc.nsw.gov.au/naidocweek.