NAIDOC Week marked at Committee Meeting

A special Welcome to Country and an address by 2020 Cairns Young Australia of the Year opened today’s Council Committee Meetings to mark NAIDOC Week.

Themed “Always Was, Always Will Be”, NAIDOC Week 2020 recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

Traditional Owners Jeanette Singleton from the Yirrganydji people and Carl Fourmile from the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people delivered a special Welcome to Country, followed by an address from 2020 Cairns Young Australia of the Year, Daniel Rosendale.

The program builds on Council initiatives recognising the importance of NAIDOC Week, including specially designed polo shirts (worn by all Councillors today), and a Wall of Hands on display in the courtyard at the Council Spence Street building.

Mayor Bob Manning said NAIDOC Week was an opportunity for all Australians to take a moment and contemplate how they could contribute to reconciliation.

“We can all contribute to the reconciliation journey by acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of this land and take the time to learn about the rich culture and history of our Indigenous people,” Cr Manning said.

“As part of that process, all Councillors and staff have been invited to write on a coloured hand about what this year’s NAIDOC theme means to them and add it to the wall.

“By the end of the week, we expect this wall to provide a colourful and meaningful representation of this year’s NAIDOC theme as well as being a great conversation starter for discussion about NAIDOC and reconciliation.”

In his address, Mr Rosendale, a Kuku Yalanji and Gugu Yimithir man, said this year’s NAIDOC theme was an invitation for all Australians to embrace the oldest continuous cultures in world.

“It is also an opportunity for our country to reflect on our past and contribute to the long battle of our people for recognition in their own land,” he said.

“Our ancestors were scholars, teachers, farmers, astronomers and much more, they cared for and understood their world deeply and intimately.

“They loved and cared for the land and seas of this beautiful country. Now it is time we as the first peoples of the nation of Australia are recognised and be given the same opportunity, to share the spiritual connection of our ancestors in a broad, meaningful and inclusive way.”

Mr Rosendale added it was important to retain knowledge and pride in culture and the past as we look towards the future.

“As we are slowly shifting into a generation where people are moving by choice away from their traditional homelands, for work, family, or a fresh start at life ... we must strive to ensure that there is recognition of our ancient history alongside our shared national journey and vision for the future.

“We as a nation must properly acknowledge our past to ensure we can move into the future stronger and together.”