The Port Macquarie racecourse was buzzing with people on July 12 as the 2018 NAIDOC Week Fun Day was in full swing.
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Hundreds of people came along for a day of celebrating culture with live singing and dancing performances along with a large variety of stalls, games and painting for the kids to enjoy.
Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO David Carroll said the fun day was a chance for the whole community to come together.
“The NAIDOC Week Fun Day is probably one of the highlights of NAIDOC Week in Port Macquarie, with lots and lots of people coming together to enjoy and have fun,” Mr Carroll said.
“Due to its popularity we held our first fun day in Wauchope on July 10 which was a great success and backed it up with the Port Macquarie fun day today.
“Moving it to the racecourse was a great move as it means that more people can come and we have stalls and performances spread out a little bit more."
Mr Carroll said NAIDOC Week was a chance for the community to come together.
“For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people NAIDOC Week is a special week and is a chance for us to share our cultures with the community,” he said.
“At the fun day we had service providers from the community hold stalls so that people can talk to the providers face to face but that is only half of the day.
“The other part is all the fun activities kids and adults get involved in, we had painting, crafts, and jumping castles which everyone has been enjoying.”
READ MORE: CSU Students celebrate NAIDOC Week
The theme for NAIDOC Week 2018 is Because of Her, We Can and at the opening ceremony on July 9, Aboriginal educator Linda Olive said that was especially important.
“NAIDOC Week is the recognition and celebration of the traditional owners of the land and is focused around the celebration of language, culture and community,” Ms Olive said.
“The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is especially important because it recognises the significant contribution of women in the Aboriginal community.
“This year is all about identifying and celebrating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trailblazer women who were the first and most fierce advocates for a families and our children.”
