Mayoral Column - 6 July 2022
Published on 06 July 2022
This week will see communities across Australia celebrating NAIDOC Week, which is always an important annual event in the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA).
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for our community to celebrate, recognise, and learn about the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The theme for NAIDOC Week 2022 is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! which encourages all of us to champion institutional, structural, collaborative and cooperative change. It also celebrates those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations.
Cessnock City Council is proud to support NAIDOC Week and present a fantastic program of events hosted by local community organisations for the community to enjoy. While the program is already underway, there are still some great events to come, including emu egg decorating at Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Libraries, jewellery making at the Cessnock Youth Centre, a NAIDOC Week art exhibition at The Centre in Kurri Kurri, Barkuma’s Winter Walkabout fundraiser, and free film screenings at the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.
I am looking forward to attending the Flag Raising Ceremony and NAIDOC Family Fun Day on Saturday 9 July at TAFE Park. This is always such a wonderful community event as people gather from across our community to mark this important occasion and celebrate together.
NAIDOC Week is a whole of community celebration and I encourage everyone to participate in the program to learn more about our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, its culture, art, music and people.
Visit Council’s website to find out more via our website, or pick up a hard copy program at Cessnock City Libraries, Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service, PCYC or Kurri Kurri Community Centre.
The success of our community relies heavily upon our ability to strategically plan for the future and deliver positive outcomes for every resident in the Cessnock LGA. The adoption of the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Operational Plan and Budget at last week’s Extraordinary Council meeting will allow us to do just that. With the new financial year upon us, I look forward to Council delivering for our community, particularly on local roads and pathways, having allocated additional resources and funding to these projects.