Kirstin Morris, pictured above, is a School Learning and Support Officer at Lake Cargelligo Central School. She is pictured heading off to NAIDOC Celebrations with her children, making her one of the many PSA CPSU NSW members celebrating their culture.

The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth,” said PSA CPSU NSW Aboriginal Liaison Officer Ricky Walford. “You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.”

NAIDOC Week, as a week-long celebration, began in 1975. However, its origins trace back to the 1938 Day of Mourning, a protest organised by Aboriginal leaders to mark the 150th anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in Australia. This event was pivotal in advocating for Indigenous rights and recognition. This year we mark NAIDOC Week’s 50-year anniversary with the theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrating not only the achievements of the past but the future ahead.

“Every year, the NSW Public Service celebrates the importance of NAIDOC week, and PSA members held events to recognise 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience,” said Mr Walford. “I’m proud to be part of that.”