After the annual NAIDOC march through Gunnedah, each branch of the emergency services will host a display at a community fun day at Wolesley Park from 11am.

Breeza Rural Fire Service member and Kamilaroi man Mitchum Neave told the Namoi Valley Independent the event was designed to allow people to get to know their first responders.

“The good thing about NAIDOC Week is that it is for everyone and so are the emergency services,” Mr Neave said.

“When you have an emergency, it doesn’t matter what the background of the person helping you is, they are just there to help.

“Hopefully this march and community event will really give people an insight to the people behind the uniform.”

Mr Neave said he hoped the celebrations would help lead to more Indigenous people joining the emergency services.

“It’s time to have more Indigenous people in uniform,” he said.

“I think for the first time ever, we will go some way to making that happen with this event.”

Read Also:

Oxley Police Inspector Michael Wurth said having diversity within the emergency services was important.

“Having a diverse team helps bring a lot of different perspectives to the job,” Inspector Wurth said.

“Given how diverse our community is across the state, having a diverse team really helps with community engagement and makes us as first responders more approachable as a result.”

Inspector Wurth said community engagement events were vital to recruiting future responders.

“Unfortunately sometimes the only time people get to meet those in emergency services is in an emergency,” he said.

“So these events are vital to help us break down any stigmas and walls that may exist between us and give anyone interested in joining us a chance to see what we have to offer.”

The displays at Wolesely Park from 11am.