THE Eurobodalla is set for an action-packed week of festivities to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements next week.
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NAIDOC Week celebrations will kick off on Monday with an official flag-raising ceremony hosted by Eurobodalla Shire Council and the Eurobodalla Aboriginal advisory committee.
Georgina Parsons, fondly known as Auntie Coop, will give the Welcome to Country and the event will include performances from Aboriginal dance group Bundoo and the St Mary’s Primary School choir, as well as a smoking ceremony.
On Tuesday a family fun day will be held at Moruya’s Riverside Park, where four Indigenous teams will go head-to-head for the annual Koori Cook Off.
Teams will “cook for health” using traditional ingredients such as kangaroo, pippies, abalone and fish in the competition, which is run by the Heart Foundation and the Eurobodalla committee for NAIDOC Week.
The meals will be judged by elders from the Shoalhaven region.
The foundation’s regional health promotion coordinator Andy Mark said organisers would like to see a big crowd at the Riverside Park Amphitheatre to cheer on the teams when heats start at 11.30am on Tuesday.
“Spectators will be able to share in the fun and festivities and will also be able to sample the healthy, tasty dishes made by the teams,” he said.
The family fun day will also feature food and amusements and an exhibition of Correda, an Aboriginal martial art inspired by the movements of the kangaroo.
Free NAIDOC Week highlights include:
MONDAY, JULY 6:
- Flag-raising ceremony, Eurobodalla Shire Council offices, Moruya 10am.
TUESDAY, JULY 7:
- Family Fun Day at Riverside Park, Moruya, 11am to 2pm. Includes Koori Cook Off; heats start at 11.30am.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8:
- Fishing and cultural workshop - North Head, Moruya, 9.30am-3.30pm.
- Didgeridoo and story time for children at Batemans Bay Library, 10.30-11.30am.
- Traditional Aboriginal craft and storytelling, Moruya Library, 10.30am-noon.
FRIDAY, JULY 10:
- Katungul Community Sports Day, Ack Weyman Oval, Moruya, 10.30am-3pm.
- PCYC NAIDOC Blue Light Disco, Basketball Stadium, Moruya Showground, 5pm-9pm
For the full program of events for NAIDOC Week, visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/home/news-and-events/river-of-diversity/naidoc-week