Tweed Shire Council is proud to support this year’s National NAIDOC Week celebrations, held from 6 – 13 July under the powerful national theme 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'.
Throughout the week, the whole community can enjoy a range of events including the annual Cultural Day, the Sports Expo at Arkinstall Park and the Saltwater Day community barbecue at Fingal Head. The week culminates in the iconic NAIDOC March and Corroboree in the Park on Friday 11 July and closes with a Dinner Dance in Tweed Heads.
This year’s theme celebrates 50 years of honouring and elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait voices, while looking to the future with pride in young leaders, community vision and cultural strength.
Tweed Shire Council Mayor Chris Cherry said that NAIDOC Week is a powerful opportunity to reflect, connect and look ahead.
“We’re honoured to support NAIDOC Week in the Tweed and stand with our local First Nations communities in celebration and solidarity. This year’s theme reminds us that the future of culture, community and connection lies in the hands of our young people — and the legacy they carry forward,” Cr Cherry said.
National NAIDOC Week is a chance for all Australians to learn about, connect with and celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. Locally, it recognises the people of the Bundjalung Nation — the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people, and in particular, the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung-Moobah clans.
The week’s events are coordinated by the Tweed Heads NAIDOC Committee and kick off on Sunday 6 July with a flag-raising ceremony and church service at Minjungbal Museum and Cultural Centre in Tweed Heads South.
Tweed Regional Museum’s, Museum on Wheels (MoW) will be on the move, traveling to NAIDOC events throughout the week with its Blak Excellence display which highlights how talented, innovative and deadly local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are.
The community can catch the MoW every day of NAIDOC Week at the Minjungbal Museum & Cultural Centre except Wednesday 9 July when it will be the Arkinstall Park NAIDOC Sports & Health Expo.
About National NAIDOC Week
The NAIDOC movement began as a fight for recognition and rights, led by Indigenous communities determined to build a future grounded in justice and equality. Over the past 50 years it has grown into a powerful national celebration—one that honours the enduring strength, culture and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Tweed NAIDOC Week Program
Sunday 6 July
NAIDOC Opening & Flag Raising
Flag Raising Ceremony and 9.30 – 10 am
Morning Tea 10 - 10.30 am
Church service 10.30 -12 pm
Lunch 12 pm
Minjungbal Museum and Cultural Centre
17 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South
Monday 7 July
NAIDOC Cultural Day
Cultural Day 10 am – 2pm
Curry Night & Sing Song 5 pm
Minjungbal Museum and Cultural Centre
17 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South
Tuesday 8 July
NAIDOC Hall of Fame Induction and Reflection 9.30 – 10.30 am
Morning tea 10.30 am – 11 am
Seniors Luncheon and Goori Bingo for people 65 years and over 11 am – 2 pm
Minjungbal Museum and Cultural Centre
17 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South
Wednesday 9 July
Arkinstall Park NAIDOC Sports & Health Expo
Sports Expo 10 am – 3 pm
Arkinstall Park, Robert Street, Tweed Heads South
Thursday 10 July
Saltwater Day 10 am – 2 pm (community barbecue and gathering)
Fingal Head Beach, 1 Marine Parade, Fingal Head
Friday 11 July
Tweed NAIDOC March 10 am – 11.30 pm
Speeches & Corroboree in the Park 11.30 – 1 pm
Meet at Tweed Heads Civic Centre, cnr Brett and Wharf streets, Tweed Heads
Finish at Jack Evans Boat Harbour
NAIDOC Dinner Dance and Awards Night in Goorioki 6 pm – late
Club Tweed (Tweed Heads Bowls Club)
Pioneer Country
Fraser Drive, Tweed Heads
Tickets $60. Bookings essential. Book via humanitix.
Full program details are available via the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council website: tblalc.com/naidoc/
For information about any event in this program, please contact Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council (TBLALC) via email tweedbyronlalc@tblalc.com
Find out more about National NAIDOC Week at naidoc.org.au