Between 3-10 July all Australians will come together to celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal culture during NAIDOC Week – An annual event of much significance. A coming together of people from all walks of life, be it community, service, business, NGOs and Government departments.

This gathering implores audiences to think about and discuss the ongoing contribution that first Australians make to this Nation. It asks us to be part of a broad range of activities that allow us to engage local Aboriginal communities, their children, their leaders, the services that support them and importantly their elders.

It’s a time for us to acknowledge the achievements of our Aboriginal country men and women, while also understanding that there are significant gaps that still exist between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Australians. Which is why this year’s theme “Change, the next step is ours” is so significant.

Don Mulholland, WISE Aboriginal Project & Liaison Manager says “As with most themes of NAIDOC, it seems to take on changes of the time”.

In his role with WISE, Don works extensively with Aboriginal people across the inner and outer Western regions of Sydney and his long-term vision for addressing the balance of Aboriginal unemployment includes “taking steps to help Aboriginal people with disabilities to move into employment, giving young Aboriginal people a dream about owning a car and home, explaining the importance of education and training, assisting the community to make healthier choices, and participating in developing the future”.

As with previous years, WISE staff across the country will participate in a number of significant events such as Council flag raising ceremonies, the Kinaway Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce Gala dinner and the Penrith Family NAIDOC Day Mix Touch Football game – An event that WISE is proudly sponsoring.

Carolyn Gartside, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Penrith City Council says the event is of “major symbolic importance to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations” and is expected to attract hundreds of people from the Outer Western region of Sydney.

To find out more about NAIDOC week and the activities happening your local are visit www.naidoc.org.au