First Nations

NAIDOC Week 2023

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Wherever you live, you can take part in NAIDOC Week celebrations in July each year.   

The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is “For our Elders”

For more information about NAIDOC Week, visit www.naidoc.org.au

NAIDOC Community Flag Raising Ceremony - Gympie

Monday 3 July 2023
8.30am – 9.30am
Nelson Reserve, Jaycee Way, Gympie

Join with traditional owners and community to raise the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian Flags and celebrate NAIDOC Week. Everyone welcome!

Free morning tea provided.

Proudly hosted by Gympie Regional Council

Gympie NAIDOC Family Fun Day

Friday 28 July 2023 
10am – 2.30pm
Nelson Reserve Park, Jaycee Way, Gympie

Free community event. Everyone welcome to attend!

  • Welcome to Country
  • Smoking Ceremony
  • Acknowledgment of our Elders
  • Music and arts and crafts
  • BBQ Lunch
  • Basket weaving & Didge lessons
  • Traditional Games
  • Dance Performance
  • Stalls

Community led event, proudly supported by Gympie Regional Council

Are you hosting a NAIDOC Week Community Event? Let us know so we can help promote it on this weg page.

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First Nations Community in Gympie Region

Gympie Regional Council pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians of the land within the Gympie region local government area:

  • the Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi which includes the majority of Country within the Gympie region local government area
  • the Wakka Wakka in the west of Gympie region
  • the Butchulla people in the north-east of the Gympie region.

Council also acknowledges all First Nations people who live in the Gympie region and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Important Annual Events

Sorry Day 26 May

On 26 May 1997 the landmark Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament. The report captured the findings and recommendations from the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. Copies of the report are available through Gympie Regional Libraries or on-line. National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to commemorate the anniversary of the report and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the stolen generations.   

Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year - 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and High Court Mabo decision respectively.

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