The official NAIDOC Week is held in the first week of July and is an opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. This year’s theme is “We all stand on sacred ground – learn, respect and celebrate”.

The origins of NAIDOC can be traced to the 1920s when Aboriginal groups sought to inform communities of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

Gunnedah High School held an all-school event on Tuesday, raising the Aboriginal, Australian and Torres Strait Islander flags while students Coen and Cody Abrahams played didgeridoos.

Guest speaker Stella Lamb shared stories of her upbringing, particularly the sense of Indigenous identity and culture she gained through her mother. She invited the audience to reflect on the significance of their own “sacred site” – where they were raised.

The event finished off with a performance by the Stage 5 drama group, which told the Dreamtime story of the Rainbow Serpent.

On the same day, St Mary’s College cut a special cake and held a NAIDOC prayer celebration, which incorporated themes of belonging and identity, and acknowledged the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

Following the event, Year 7 students gathered at Kitcheners Oval to compete in a javelin throw (in lieu of spears) and begin a collaborative artwork with the help of Aboriginal Educational Assistant Tammy Wortley.

Gunnedah Public School’s NAIDOC event yesterday featured flag raising and a performance by kindergarten, Years 1 and 2 as native animals. Wayne Griffiths, Eileen Robinson and Sue Sutherland cut the special cake.

At Gunnedah South Public School, students put on a NAIDOC Week concert on Monday with performances from all classes followed by a barbecue.

On Tuesday, the school opened its NAIDOC  Week art exhibition. The exhibition is open until tomorrow during school hours.