NAIDOC 2020 Flag Raising

13 November, 2020

Mayor Ray Thompson and Aunty Helen Riley raised the Aboriginal Flag outside Lithgow City Council Chambers today in recognition of NAIDOC Week 2020.

Lithgow City Council is proud to have partnered with the local indigenous community over many years and NAIDOC is one of the ways that Council supports local community groups to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Due to the Covid pandemic NAIDOC activities have been limited this year with the postponement of the NAIDOC celebrations, usually held on country in October and the NAIDOC Storytime held at the Lithgow Library during NAIDOC week.

Local Indigenous Elder Aunty Helen Riley raised the Aboriginal Flag with Mayor of Lithgow City Council Ray Thompson today, acknowledging the difficult year it has been for all and especially the vulnerable First Nations people in our communities.

The Mayor said “This year has been unprecedented in our community, with the droughts, the bushfires and the pandemic. I want to acknowledge the major contribution that First Nations People make to our community, both within Council itself as members of committees and within the wider community with all the diverse roles held by indigenous people. We will continue to support the work of First Nations People and look forward to celebrating NAIDOC week 2021.”