This is NAIDOC week
The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning, becoming a week-long event in 1975.
The famous Day of Mourning was held in 1938, just before the Australia Day celebrations. It not only sparked a very effective one-off protest. It also stimulated a national observance that was at first championed by churches, and is now a national celebration:
In 1957 The date for NAIDOC week was moved from January to July and the first Sunday in July became a day of remembrance and celebration for Aboriginal people and heritage. In 1991 NADOC became NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee), to recognise Torres Strait Islanders and to describe a whole week of recognition, rather than one day. The committee's acronym has become the name of the week itself.
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The week is celebrated not just in the Indigenous Australian communities but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is "Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
And this year’s awardees feature some very recognisable names, including Ashleigh Barty as person of the Year 2022, and Buddy Franklin as Sportsperson of the Year
I recommend you Google NAIDOC week and take a look at some of the terrific and exciting things these awardees and nominees have been doing
For good food and fellowship in Rotary lets celebrate NAIDOC week
Thank you to Barbara Yerondais for providing this reflection on 6 July 2022.
