Narrabri Shire Council’s annual NAIDOC Week flag raising ceremony has been cancelled due to the state’s current COVID-19 restrictions.
Usually held at council chambers, the flag raising ceremony traditionally includes speeches from the mayor and indigenous leaders in the community, as well as cultural performances from local children and a smoking ceremony.
The event would typically culminate with a morning tea, when a NAIDOC Week cake is cut by the mayor and indigenous members of the community.
Narrabri Shire mayor Ron Campbell said he was disappointed that current restrictions mean the event will no longer be going ahead.
“COVID restrictions have made it difficult, not just for council, but for many organisations in the community to host gatherings and events at this time,” he said.
However, NAIDOC Week is still being celebrated symbolically, with the hanging of the shire’s new town banners.
“While it is disappointing for council not to be able to hold this year’s event, I encourage you all to take a look down the Boggabri, Narrabri and Wee Waa main streets that currently have the Narrabri Shire Youth Art and Culture banners on display,” Cr Campbell said.
“These culturally significant and vibrant banners were created by our local children in collaboration with local indigenous elders.”
The new flags were unveiled in June as part of Reconciliation Week commemorations, as reported by The Courier on Thursday, June 17.
These traditionally-styled banners will be on display in towns across the Narrabri Shire until mid-July.
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