02 6652 8740
Another DEADLY week of NAIDOC Celebrations on the Coffs Coast. Thanks to all the Aboriginal Organisations that participated and gave our community yet another deadly week!
Brand new event to the NAIDOC Calendar and it was a great way to kick it off. James and Amber Mercy had the idea to bring an indigenous Surf Gathering to the Coffs Coast in loving memory of their father Uncle Eric Mercy, a local surfing legend. With (How many participates) surfing over the 2 days it was a highly successful day.
Junior’s Winner: Brandon Mercy
Open Men’s Winner: Simon Knox
Women’s Winner: Jasmine Mcorquodale
Master’s Winner: Robbie Page
Deadly night for Community to dress up, celebrate and recognise the hard working community members. This year moving it to the Coffs Harbour Golf Club, the event was sold out 2 weeks prior to the event. Releasing an addition 20 tickets a week before the Night it was still sold out. With 150 people coming together enjoying a 3 course meal, entertainment by Matty Devitt Band and a beautiful tribute performance by Jailena Craig to Aunty Grace Roberts. Through the night, the crowd went LIVE on Facebook to our Lockie Skinner who unfortunately could not be there as he was in hospital.
Academic Achievement Award: Jasmine Hovermann
Sporting Achievement Award: Cassey Lynwood
Arts and Culture Achievement Award: Tony Dootson
Youth of the Year: Charlotte Bedford
Business/ Organisation of the Year: Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation
Grace Roberts Community Development Award: Sue Tomkins
Always a great day for community to participate in. Local performers, Councillors, Community Members came together to raise the flag for the tradition for NAIDOC Week in Coffs and official open NAIDOC Week.
Then over to the Showground for the FACS Luncheon. New location but deadly as always. With many community members coming together.
New event on the calendar this year but was deadly to see so many young kids involved and having fun. With a strong Language focus, our mob had a great day and a nice way to tire the kiddies out for them to unwind and watch a movie with a good feed of pizza. Deadly to see many Kiddies attend the Movie night and was a great night.
The biggest day on our NAIDOC Calendar and was great to see so many aboriginal Organisations being a part of the day. The Community came out in its hundreds and was great to see as always.
A deadly day for the community to come down, relax and enjoy the sound of Matty Devitt, Plant a tree and go on a tour with Uncle Mark Flanders. MC Lockie shared a story about when it first started. His uncle was running the event and how it so good to come back every year to see the area that he planted has grown. We just want to thank all community that attended our event. Also, want to thank the other orgs that assisted with the event.
Big day of NAIDOC Events this year. Kicking off with the NAIDOC Golf Day. Was deadly to see so many orgs put teams in for the Golf Day. Photos for the event are available on the Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Social Events Facebook Page.
For the last few years, Aboriginal Family Wellbeing Service have put on an Elders Luncheon and has been deadly. This year has been just as deadly and it is fantastic they put this on for our elders.
Australian Unity Morning/Afternoon Tea is a new event on the NAIDOC Calendar. Was always a breakfast on Tuesday Mornings but when they moved int
o the Plaza they wanted to offer the community the chance to yarn with them over a morning and Afternoon tea sessions in their new office. Great event with many attending so that was great to see.
The NAIDOC Afterparty. Well what can you say about a night out with all the mob. The after party was a HUGE success with many people coming out to the Coast Hotel. It was deadly to unwind and catch up with the mob.
Yarrawarra hosted the opening of a new art exhibition and community came out to enjoy all that Yarrawarra had to offer which was deadly and it was good to see Yarrawarra get involved in the Calendar this year.
To finish off NAIDOC 2017 we had the Business of the Year take us out with a Cultural Tour. Deadly as always and we really do encourage all mob to get up to Sealy Look out to do the Cultural Tour. It is truly deadly.
NAIDOC Week Overview:
