THIS year's theme for NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week is "Spirit of the Tent Embassy, 40 years on" and celebrations and events will be held throughout the Manning next week and at schools over the coming month.
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The week kicks off on Tuesday with the "Elders Olympics" at Taree Recreation Ground followed on Thursday with a community breakfast at the Biripi Aboriginal Medical Service at Purfleet.
Later that day there'll be a disco for kids between 5pm and 10pm at the Taree PCYC off Commerce Street.
Next Friday, July 6 is a combined community day at Queen Elizabeth Park from 10am to 3.30pm. Master of ceremonies will be local comedian Andrew Saunders and activities include a flag raising ceremony with Greater Taree mayor Paul Hogan and live broadcast by Ngarralinyi radio station.
There'll also be artwork displays such as "Reconciliation Hands" from Taree West Public and a "World View" exhibition by Woombarra Wunggan Youth Services containing images captured on camera that reflect the thoughts, feelings and experiences of Aboriginal youth. Photographs and historical information on the Tent Embassy will also be on display.
To cap off the official week's events there'll be the annual Manning Indigenous Achievers awards night at the Winning Post Function Centre, Taree/Wingham Racecourse.
Tickets are on sale from the customer service counter at Greater Taree City Council.
Aboriginal community officer and Biripi NAIDOC committee member Tracey Anderson said she was excited about the coming together of Biripi people and Aboriginal people within the Biripi area to mark the significant cultural event.
"For this year's community day we have the largest number of stall holders in the history of NAIDOC Week with new community partners both locally and regionally taking part.
"There'll also be stalls and areas such as "kids corner", youth connect, child and family services, aged and disability services, legal services, employment, education, training, health and a variety of general services," said Tracey.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was established in Canberra in 1972 and became a powerful symbol of unity.
Its founders instilled pride, advanced equality and educated the country on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For more information on NAIDOC week, contact Tracey on 6592 5275 or 0427 925 275 or visit the council website www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au
