NAIDOC Week flag raising at council chamber 2023

Narrabri Shire Council welcomed the start of NAIDOC week celebrations with the official raising of the Aboriginal flag outside the Narrabri Shire Council chambers on Thursday.

The proceedings were attended by community and council members from Narrabri Shire and Local Aboriginal Land Councils, with deputy mayor Darrell Tiemens officiating the ceremony proceedings.

Cr Tiemens welcomed the community and acknowledged the official theme for 2023 NAIDOC Week: ‘ For Our Elders’ in his speech and the significance of NAIDOC Week to fellow Australians.

“NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” he said.

“The theme recognises that elders have played and continue to play an essential role across every generation and hold a prominent place in communities and families.

“Not only should we respect them, but we should learn from them.”

In the 1950s, the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee was formed, observing the second Sunday in July as a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.

Later in the 1990s, the committee was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islanders and their culture.

“The tenacity and strength of elders carry the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the next generation continues the fight for equality,” said Cr Tiemens.

“Narrabri Shire is grateful to have many elders who have been instrumental in our reconciliation journey and who have shared and continue to share their wisdom and knowledge.”

CEO of the Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Lynn Trindall provided a welcome to country and acknowledged the importance of elders to the Aboriginal community in her speech.

“The contributions made by our elders in communities highlight that in every chapter in history, our elders have been shaping who we are today,” she said.

“They have built the society that we live in, and that is why we should celebrate the accomplishments of older generations.”

Invited to do the honours of raising the flag this year were Narrabri elders Marilyn Binge, Winanga-Li House’s June Welsh, and Les Knox.

After the flag-raising ceremony concluded, attendees were invited into the council chamber.