Lake Macquarie City Council is set to celebrate NAIDOC Week by putting local female artists in the spotlight in its program of community events happening across the city.
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Council’s community planning manager, Wes Hain, said this year’s NAIDOC Week (July 8 to 15) events would suit a wide range of ages and interests.
“This year’s theme is ‘Because of Her, We Can’, and it’s all about acknowledging the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women make to our communities,” Mr Hain said.
“In celebration of this theme, we’ll be hosting special storytimes and art workshops led by female artists and illustrators at our Lake Mac Libraries and Art Gallery, as well as family fun days and council’s annual flag-raising ceremony and morning tea at our administration building at Speers Point.
“There really is something for everyone this year, so I would strongly encourage our Lake Macquarie community to get out and enjoy a local event, and celebrate the rich diversity and heritage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and Indigenous cultural more widely, bring to Lake Macquarie.”
Toronto Family Fun Day
It all starts with the Westlakes NAIDOC Family Fun Day on Tuesday, July 10, at the Toronto foreshore.
The event starts at 10am with the annual peaceful march down The Boulevarde, starting at Toronto Town Square, and finishing on the foreshore.
Then enjoy live entertainment (featuring the Stiff Gins), displays from local service providers, a free community barbecue, and the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award ceremony.
Stories from the Big Blue Chair
On Tuesday afternoon, from 3.45, check out NAIDOC Week Stories from the Big Blue Chair at Toronto Library.
Listen to stories and create friendship bracelets using colours from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags.
This one is suitable for children aged 5 to 9. Bookings are essential at library.lakemac.com.au.
Flag raising at council
On Wednesday, July 11, Lake Macquarie City Council will host its annual flag-raising ceremony at the administration building at Speers Point at 9am.
The event features a traditional smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country, followed by cultural performances and guest speakers.
Artist Maree Bisby
From 10am on Wednesday, at Toronto Library, meet artist Maree Bisby as she discusses the creation of her latest exhibition at Launchpad@Toronto.
Stay and help create a new artwork for the Aboriginal Knowledge Book Collection at the library.
Adults and children are welcome. Bookings are essential and can be made at library.lakemac.com.au.
Basketry workshop
On Thursday, July 12, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery will be the venue for a school holiday basketry workshop, from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Join Aboriginal artist Michelle Napanangka Earl for an afternoon of art making as she demonstrates traditional basketry.
This one’s suitable for ages 7 and up.
Bookings are essential and can be made at eventbrite.com.au. The cost is $20 per child, per session.
John Paul Young
On Friday, July 13, Swansea Library will host a morning with illustrator, Fern Martins, featuring stories, songs and craft. It starts at 10.30am.
Also on Friday morning, John Paul Young will perform as part of the Eastlakes NAIDOC celebrations at Pelican Foreshore Park.
That event runs from 10am to 3pm and will also feature jumping castles, face painting, a free community barbecue and the Eastlakes Got Talent competition.
