Communities around the South West came together this week to celebrate and reflect on 50 years of NAIDOC week

Communities around the South West came together this week to celebrate and reflect on 50 years of NAIDOC week. While the week is full of stories, this year’s theme for NAIDOC week celebrated those not yet written, looking to the next generation and the strength, vision and legacy to come. Across the region communities came together to look ahead, with towns through the region hosting flag raising ceremonies on Monday morning to commemorate the start of the week. In Waroona, a humble crowd gathered in the rain to watch the flags rise, with elder Robert Jetta speaking to the gathered crowd. He welcomed the attendees to Bindjareb Noongar country and said he was pleased to see people with him that day. Mr Jetta said this year marked 50 years of NAIDOC, which has grown significantly during the past five decades. “Back when we first started it was only one day, but it has increased to a week now, which is very special to us,” he said. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is the next generation, their strength, vision and legacy. “Our young people are upcoming leaders and they will carry the fire stick into the future for us,” Mr Jetta said. In Busselton, the city’s Aboriginal community development officer Thelma Harris hosted the morning tea and speeches, with speakers including elder Gloria Hill, traditional custodian Mitchella Hutchins and mayor Phill Cronin. Ms Hutchins said she was proud to see the flag raising, as well as the attendance of young First Nations boys and girls, who closed the ceremony with a dance. “It makes my heart happy to see the mob here today and makes me really proud to see the boys raising the flags,” she said. “As the world’s oldest continuing culture, we have so much to share. I always say today is a time for us to celebrate the ancient culture together. “I call today a time of freedom, when we can actually celebrate some of those unique things that we actually were not able to celebrate in the past.” In a statement at the start of the week, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said NAIDOC Week is one of the highlights of the year — a time for reflection, celebration and connection. “It offers us an opportunity to recognise the wisdom, strength and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contributions that continue to shape, enrich and define our shared future,” he said. “It is also a vital opportunity for all Australians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, to stand in solidarity, to listen deeply, and to amplify Aboriginal voices and stories with genuine respect and purpose. “NAIDOC Week is not only a celebration of culture, through music, art, language, food and storytelling, it is a powerful opportunity for connection.”