General News
23 July, 2025
NAIDOC Week 2025 Celebrating the next generation
A week of local NAIDOC celebrations began on Monday, July 14 with a flag raising ceremony at Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC).
Community members, family, and local Elders gathered at GLALC with the event beginning with a minute of silence for Sorry Business in the community. GLALC board member Jim Earsman then gave an Acknowledgment and Welcome to Country, while chairperson, Eileeyo Louie raised the Aboriginal Flag.
Cr Grace Toomey, from the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council (Central Region) addressed the gathering. Cr Toomey said NAIDOC Week was an important time to think about the youth and acknowledge the long-standing work of Elders in the wider Indigenous community. “Think about what you want to bring to NAIDOC and what legacy we can leave,” she said. [NAIDOC Week] “is an important week to remember our people who fought for our land rights and the following legislation – keeping our Elders at the forefront”.
“It’s a time to think about our young ones coming through and support them to grow up in a powerful state; get educated and help them be strong for the hurdles that they face as they walk between two worlds.”
Cr Toomey concluded by wishing everyone a good NAIDOC Week. The gathering then shared in a special NAIDOC Week cake, cut by Aunty Kathy Bird and Aunty Phyllis Morgan.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is: ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy’, celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC. The theme was echoed across all the local NAIDOC events, focussing on involving youth and a connection with community. NAIDOC events were held all week in Gilgandra. Along with the flag raising on Monday, July 14, there was bingo and trivia on Tuesday (July 15) a colour run and disco on Wednesday (July 16), an Elders Luncheon on Thursday (July 17), and a community event in Hunter Park on Friday, July 18.
The week concluded with a formal NAIDOC Ball hosted by Gilgandra Local Aboriginal Medical Service (GLAMS) on Saturday, July 19 at the Gilgandra Shire Hall. A spokesperson for the ball said the event brought together community members to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of NAIDOC “in style”.
GLAMS practice manager, Buddie Knight, gave the Welcome to Country. “She also welcomed guests, and acknowledged the GLAMS board of directors and executive for their ongoing support,” said the spokesperson. The night was MC’d by comedian Kevin Kropinyeri, and featured special guests, TikTok stars ‘The Brother Boys’.
GLAMS CEO, Phil Naden, spoke to the legacy of NAIDOC and CTG Aboriginal Health’s [GLAMS parent organisation] ongoing commitment to the community and the region.
Other guest speakers included Ian Louie Wood and Wendy Brown. They “shared their story about being young Aboriginal people growing up in Gilgandra - highlighting the NAIDOC theme of ‘Strength, Vision and Legacy’, which was followed by a standing ovation from the community”, said the spokesperson.
Entertainment was provided by the ‘River Rok Band’, led by Maurice Walker, with catering by Megan O’Connor and her team.
