NAIDOC Week 2021 returns to Livingstone Shire this July!

The Livingstone Shire region will once again celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021 this month, with two exciting cultural events organised for all residents to take part in.

After no events were held last year due to the impacts of COVID-19, Livingstone Shire Council has joined the Capricorn Coast Indigenous Inc. Mob to host two special activities that honour the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Held from Sunday 4 July to Sunday 11 July, each year NAIDOC week grows in stature and depth of celebrations at community, state and national level. This year’s theme is Heal Country. 

It’s an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

Capricorn Coast Indigenous Inc. Mob president and Darumbal Elder Aunty Sally Vea Vea said the committee had organised events including a mountain hike at Mt GAI-I in Cawarral as well as the annual walk and flag-raising ceremony at Yeppoon’s foreshore.

“NAIDOC Week is a great time to come together to celebrate our culture and traditions, and we want to invite the whole community to these events to create an inclusive environment where everybody feels welcome,” Aunty Sally said. 

“CCIM would like to thank Livingstone Shire Council, Woolworths, Yeppoon Central, Queensland Health (Yeppoon Hospital), Gawala Aboriginal Land Trust, SES, Queensland Police Service, CQU, RockNAIDOC, and all of the businesses and organisations that have provided great support in making our upcoming events possible.”

Mayor Andy Ireland said Council is extremely proud to once again be facilitating, supporting and partnering in this year’s events with the traditional Darumbal owners, as our community celebrates and highlights the importance of the rich history, culture and achievements of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“NAIDOC Week celebrations are a hugely important event in Livingstone’s annual calendar and I encourage the community to get involved,” Mayor Ireland said.

“It’s vital that Livingstone and all communities across the country continue to support endeavours and recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now, and into the future.”

On the Capricorn Coast, the traditional owners are the Darumbal people. The Woppaburra people are the traditional custodians of Great Keppel and North Keppel Islands.

For more information on the local NAIDOC Week events, click here. 

For more about NAIDOC Week, go to https://www.naidoc.org.au/