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Celebrating NAIDOC Week at Y Queensland

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AJ

Published

14 July 2024

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This NAIDOC Week 2025 is a significant milestone marking 50 years of honouring, celebrating, and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. From 6th to 13th July, we join Australians nationwide in commemorating this occasion. This year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,’ celebrates not just the achievements of the past but also the promising future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

It's a call to uplift, invest in, and listen to the next generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while honoring the legacies that paved the way. We proudly continue our tradition from NAIDOC Week 2024, where from 7th to 14th July, we celebrated under the theme "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud," emphasising the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures.

Stories from Our Community

As part of the celebration, we asked some of our First Nations staff and volunteers for their insights:
Debbie, a Waanyi woman and Community Engagement Administrator at The Buzz Community Centre, emphasises the importance of NAIDOC Week in maintaining and preserving culture. "The theme to me means celebrating culture," she shares.
Issy, a youth member from the Southern Downs in the Queensland Youth Parliament, sees the theme as a call for unity and pride. "Be proud, be loud, and be yourself. Don't shy away from your heritage; it's yours, so own it," she advises younger generations.

Kait, a proud Bundjalung woman and youth member for Lockyer in the Queensland Youth Parliament, encourages embracing one's culture. "No matter how much you know about your culture, just do what you can and be proud of it. Try to get involved," she says. Kait also shared how she helped organised NAIDOC Week celebrations at a school, educating young children about First Nations history and culture through fun activities.

Celebrations Across Y Queensland Centres

Here’s how some of our centers celebrated NAIDOC Week:
  • Miami OSHC created a “community tree” artwork to symbolise connection, led by a First Nations educator.
  • Cheeky Monkeys Playgroup enjoyed activities like Rainbow Serpent Collages and Aboriginal Dot Painting.
  • Edens Landing OSHC painted hands in the colors of the Aboriginal flag, forming a flame to reflect the theme. A Cultural Infusion program during Vacation Care helped deepen children’s understanding of Indigenous culture.
  • The Y Acacia Ridge Early Learning Centre emphasised learning about First Nations history, culture, and achievements. Educators and children built a visual fire out of sticks and handprints, learned songs like “Taba Naba” and “Inanay,” and explored Dreamtime stories and the significance of the flags. They also walked together inspired by the “Walking Together” episode on Play School.
  • Brisbane South Junior engaged in various activities, including creating artwork, making polymer clay earrings, and cooking a ‘Bush Tucker’ feast with Indigenous chef Marnie Parker. With 34% of students identifying as First Nations, Brisbane South Junior is proud to support their awareness and connection to Indigenous culture.

Committing to Cultural Heritage

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and to participate in celebrations of the oldest continuous living cultures on earth. Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of our nation. At YMCA Queensland, we are committed to celebrating and learning about the rich traditions of Australia’s First Nations people, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing this cultural heritage.
Join us in celebrating NAIDOC Week and honoring the unyielding spirit of our communities. 

Author

AJ

Published

14 July 2024

Celebrations Across Y Queensland Centres

Here’s how some of our centers celebrated NAIDOC Week:
  • Miami OSHC created a “community tree” artwork to symbolise connection, led by a First Nations educator.

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