Town of Cambridge Celebrates NAIDOC Week 2024

Published on 15 July 2024

The Town of Cambridge proudly hosted a series of meaningful events to celebrate NAIDOC Week from 8 to 11 July. Designed to honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the planned activities brought the community together in a spirit of recognition and celebration. This year's theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud,” highlighted the resilience and strength of Indigenous culture and voices.

The celebrations began on Monday, 8 July, with a moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at the Town’s Administration Centre. Elder Neville Collard led the ceremony, creating an atmosphere of reflection and respect. The highlight of the day was the performance by the Deadly Yongas, whose traditional dances and didgeridoo music captivated the audience of staff, Elected Members, and members of the community. It was a memorable start to NAIDOC Week.

Reflecting on the event, Town of Cambridge Mayor, Gary Mack said, “NAIDOC Week is a time for us to come together and celebrate the rich, and unbroken cultural heritage of our First Nations people. The events this week have not only been educational but have also strengthened our community spirit. I am proud to see such strong support and participation from our residents and staff.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the innovative GALUP VR Experience was held at The Boulevard Centre. This immersive virtual reality journey provided participants with a unique perspective on the history and significance of Lake Monger (Galup), offering a deeper understanding of the Whadjuk Noongar heritage of the area.

Photo: Participant immersed in the GALUP VR Experience.

Wednesday also featured a session on Indigenous history, Dreamtime stories, and traditional bush tools. The storytelling session was particularly engaging, bringing ancient tales to life and fostering a greater appreciation for the wisdom and traditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Photo: Greg Nannup (Indigenous Tours WA), Claire Turnbull, and Melissa Payne with children Elisa & Florence.

To bring the Town’s NAIDOC week to a close, a very special screening of “The Grey Line” documentary was held at The Boulevard Centre. The event included bush tucker tastings and a Q&A session with Ms Ellen Thomas, whose experience as a child from the stolen generation is captured in the film. 

NAIDOC Week 2024 in the Town of Cambridge was a resounding success, filled with learning, celebration, and community engagement. These events have fostered a greater connection to Indigenous culture and history, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to creating deep engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and recognising their enduring connection to the land.

The following NAIDOC Week activities were funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Photo: Audience captivated by 'The Grey Line' screening.