UPDATE** Please note – due to current COVID-19 restrictions as advised by the NSW Government it has been necessary to make some changes to Council’s NAIDOC event delivery for 2021. Please see updated information below.
On Monday 5 July at 10am, a Flag Raising event will take place at Coffs Harbour City Council Chambers. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, and to keep everyone as safe as possible the flag-raising will be live-streamed on Council’s MyCoffs Connect Facebook Page. It is asked please, that people tune into the live stream and do not attend the flag-raising in person.
Unfortunately due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the decision has been made to cancel the planned community Morning Tea at the Norm Jordan Pavillion at Coffs Harbour Showground after the flag-raising. The planned Housing Forum is now scheduled for Monday 20 September at the Exhibition Hall at Coffs Harbour Showground.
Also due to the current COVID-19 restrictions the Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards on Friday 9 July, 4:00-6:30pm will be live-streamed as the venue capacity under COVID-19 guidelines only allows for attendance by nominees +1. The event team will be contacting ticket holders in due course to discuss arrangements.
***
During this year’s NAIDOC Week everyone in the Coffs Harbour community is being invited to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage and respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.
‘Heal Country!’ is the theme for NAIDOC Week 2021. Each year celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.
The week – 4-11 July – is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support our local Aboriginal community here on Gumbaynggirr country.
Chair of Council’s Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Lloyd Lynwood said: “NAIDOC Week invites all Australians to join in a movement for a better future for our Aboriginal brothers, sisters and youngsters.”
The Official Flag Raising Ceremony presented by Council and the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee will be held at the Council Chamber on Monday 5 July. The event will also be livestreamed on the MyCoffs Connect Facebook page.
Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards
Aunty Grace Roberts was a local Aboriginal woman who history records as being a positive role model for her people and a person of great substance. She has had a positive and lasting impact on the Coffs Harbour community, and is recognised for her leadership and guidance. From her determination, and by example, she improved the quality of life for Aboriginal people in our city.
The Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards are held annually to coincide with NAIDOC Week. This year 16 local nominees have been recognised for their achievements and community contribution. They are:
Grace Roberts Memorial Community Development Award: Theresa Dootson, Desley Flanders, Kaleesha Morris, Karen Roberts, Lachlan Skinner.
Community Organisation or Business of the Year Award: Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Garlambirla Guyuu Girrwaa Elders Group, Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Youth of the Year Award: Kiera Bassett, Keith Dungay.
Arts and Cultural Achievement Award: Reece Flanders, Troy Robinson, Jamie Telfer.
The event will also celebrate Braith Wilson for the Sports Achievement Award, Noelene Skinner for the Aunty Award and Michael Gibbs for the Uncle Award.
