By JONATHON HOWARD
LOCAL NAIDOC Week celebrations were officially launched at the Warwick Police Station on Monday.
Senior Sergeant Stewart Day was master of ceremonies for the event with an address by Inspector Ben Marcus.
A special Welcome to Country was presented by Central State School year 7 student Jade Chalmers before a flag-raising ceremony.
Three flags were raised as part of the opening ceremony and Warwick resident Nathan Charles was asked to raise the Aboriginal flag, Warwick resident Evelyn Burnett raised the Torres Strait Islander flag and Detective Sergeant Darren Tamblyn raised the Queensland Police Service flag.
Inspector Marcus said NAIDOC Week was an important time of goodwill and making everyone feel welcome.
After the formal proceedings, steaming cups of tea were passed around and plates were piled high with hearty breakfasts for the 50 residents attending.
Inspector Marcus said the theme of NAIDOC this year was the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark petitions to Federal Parliament.
In August 1963, the Yolngu people of Yirrkala sent the petitions in protest of the Commonwealth’s granting of mining rights into Arnhem Land.
They also sought recognition by the Australian Parliament of the Yolngu peoples’ traditional rights and ownerships of their lands.
The presentation of the petitions was much more than symbolism.
It is believed to have been a catalyst for significant changes, including the 1967 referendum, the 1976 statutory land rights acknowledgement by the Commonwealth and the 1992 Mabo Case that recognised the traditional rights of the Meriam people to their islands in the eastern Torres Strait.
For youngster such as Jade Chalmers, NAIDOC Weeks provides an opportunity for Indigenous culture to be celebrated, especially at school.
She believes that NAIDOC programs can go some way to unify indigenous and non-indigenous people.
“It’s a way for us to share what our culture’s all about, the positive side of it, rather than the negative,” she said.
Warwick Police Liaison Officer Mandy Bahr agreed.
“NAIDOC can provide a great opportunity for everyone to celebrate indigenous culture and spur on more classroom discussions around Indigenous history.”
NAIDOC Week runs until 14 July.
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FREE ACITIVITIES DURING NAIDOC WEEK
STANTHORPE
Where: Stanthorpe Civic Centre
What: Welcome to Country and supper, featuring Indigenous dance. Student artwork will also be on display with judging and the winners announced on the night.
Time: 5pm onwards
Contact: Community Development Services 4681 3777
WARWICK
Where: Eastern Suburbs Junior Football Club
What: The Warwick Indigenous Workers Network in collaboration with Eastern Suburbs Junior Football Club will host a family fun day. The whole community are invited to come along and enjoy the program of entertainment, fun and food. Major sponsors for the day include Mission Australia (PaCE), Southern Downs Regional Council, Wickham’s Transport .
Program: 10am – Official Welcome and Acknowledgement to Country – Mayor Peter Blundell 10.15am – Josh Marshall (local song writer and rapper) 10.15am – Traditional games 10.30 – Under 8’s footy game 11am – Central School Choir and their Performance Skipping Team 11.30am – Mixed Touch Footy Game 12 noon – Indigenous Choir (Voices of Harmony) and local young performers 1pm – Oldies Vs Young Guns footy match
Date: Sunday 14 July
Contact: 0447 752 162.
