General News
27 June, 2025
Community set to celebrate NAIDOC Week
After 15 years in the Central Goldfields and a half decade nationally, NAIDOC celebrations return to the shire recognising their legacy and future in the next generation.
From small local beginnings, NAIDOC Week has grown into an event where the community comes together to learn from and celebrate the local Indigenous community.
While NAIDOC Week is from July 6 to 13, Central Goldfields Shire locals are invited to an early celebration at the Maryborough Pony Club on July 3, between 10 am to 2 pm.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is, “The Next Generation: Strength Vision and Legacy”, recognising “50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices culture and resilience”.
It’s fitting then the event is early so local kids, no matter their background, can come along to the celebrations ahead of the school holidays.
Asteria’s Michelle Rafferty, chair of the local NAIDOC committee, emphasised the value of Indigenous kids being able to learn about and connect with their culture alongside their friends and the wider community.
“They have their friends at school that go celebrate and learn their culture with them. That’s very important to the children because they get to have a fun day and people get to see their culture as well. It’s really good for the kids,” she said.
While the event is organised by the NAIDOC committee, led by Asteria Services, numerous local organisations will be contributing to the day’s celebrations.
MDHS’ Aboriginal hospital liaison officers Tonya Fedel and Kymberley Williams said the day was a wonderful opportunity for the Central Goldfields community to learn, celebrate, and connect.
“The theme celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead,” Ms Williams said.
“It highlights the power of young leaders, the hope and vision of our communities, and the wisdom passed down from our Elders.”
The day will be a show of local unity that expands across the year, as Ms Rafferty explained.
“We all come together as one and we all support each other throughout the year to make it work for our Aboriginal community,” she said.
“It’s a really good outcome for the town.”
From a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony to a performance by Jungle City Dance, Ms Fedel said the day will be a fun, free, family event.
“Throughout the day, families can enjoy interactive cultural displays, art and craft activities, jewellery making and painting stations,” she said.
“We will also have the pedal-powered smoothie bike, which was very popular at last year’s NAIDOC celebration.”
That’s not to mention the free BBQ lunch and fresh fruit available, plus giveaways including reusable bags, mugs, and oral health kits.
In the beginning, Ms Rafferty said they only had $500 to get things up and running — now NAIDOC Week has grown into so much more.
“I’m actually quite proud that I’ve started this from the ground up and it’s actually growing. It’s growing stronger and stronger every year,” she said.
“As the Maryborough and surrounding community come together we have one successful day which is great for the community.”