‘Keep the Fire Burning’: First Nations Australian culture to be celebrated during NAIDOC week

Residents are being encouraged to attend the Dalby Showgrounds tomorrow to take part in workshops including dress and didgeridoo (yidaki) making while learning more about Aboriginal culture.

Cameron Dickman leads the boys in dance at the NAIDOC week family fun day in Dalby. Photo Alasdair Young / Dalby Herald

Western Downs residents will have the opportunity to learn more about First Nations Australian culture at upcoming NAIDOC week celebrations.

Kicking off tomorrow at the Dalby Showgrounds from 11am to 2pm the event will feature a range of workshops which celebrate First Nations Australian history and culture.

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’ honouring the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations people, with fire also a symbol of connection to Country.

Goolburri Regional Services co-ordinator Beverly Mitchell said NAIDOC week was an important day of celebration for First Nations Australian people.

“It's important because it identities the culture and history because we weren’t recognised as people for many years,” she said.

“Previously it was started as NAIDOC day and it grew and grew and now it is a big celebration for us Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

Ms Mitchell encouraged people from all cultures and backgrounds to come along and learn.

“I think it is very important for non-Aboriginal people to come along and learn about the culture and do all these different activities, to educate them a little bit more,” she said.

“It is important they learn and we want them to ask questions about why we do things and learn about the culture which is great.

“We have been fighting the fight for a long time and finally people are starting to have that voice and we have a lot of amazing Indigenous youth coming through. The theme of keeping the fire burning encourages us to keep going, keep being us, keep educating and keep recognising we are people and are important to this earth and country.”

Cameron Dickman leads the boys in dance at the NAIDOC week family fun day in Dalby. Photo Alasdair Young / Dalby Herald

Goolburri Family Wellbeing worker Kristy Dodd said the event would have something for everyone.

“It's a community event open to everybody, we have live music, arts and crafts, children’s activities, workshops and food,” she said.

“We are having a skirt making workshop to teach people how to make them and the reasons why we do that, we also have didgeridoo (yidaki) workshop teaching people how to debark and make them and the culture of the instrument.

“Last year we had about 150 through the gates so we are hoping to get something similar to that, come along, enjoy the day and learn about the Indigenous culture.”

Ms Dodd said First Nations Australian people were proud of their culture and looked forward to sharing it at the event.

“We celebrate NAIDOC week every week because it is about sharing our culture with the community,” she said.

“I’d like to get across that we are like everybody else we celebrate our culture and our proud of that.

“It is about celebrating and knowing you are always Aboriginal and keeping that fire inside you burning and not being scared to talk about who you are.”

Mayor Andrew Smith said the region had embraced NAIDOC Week this year with an especially diverse range of activities designed to keep communities sharing and learning about First Nations culture.

“Our region is rich in indigenous history from the Barunggam to the west of Dalby, the Iman around Wandoan, the Bigambul around Tara and the Wakka Wakka and Jarowair in the Bunya Mountains area,” Mr Smith said.

“It is vital we preserve the great depth of knowledge and lore from our traditional owners and one way to do this is through simply talking and listening.

“I would encourage everyone to get out and get involved in NAIDOC events in 2024 – you might just be surprised about who you meet in our community and what you learn.”

Other NAIDOC week event include the Exhibition Opening of “Keep the Fire Burning” at Lapunyah Art Gallery on July 6, the Chinchilla NAIDOC Community Fun Day on July 7 and NAIDOC Week Weaving Workshops at the Tara and Chinchilla Libraries on July 10.

A full list of events can be found on the Western Downs Regional Council’s website.