CELEBRATE NAIDOC WEEK 2023 AT CASTLE HILL LIBRARY

Castle Hill Library will host a series of free events in collaboration with Muru Mittigar as part of the celebration of NAIDOC Week 2023.

The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week is For Our Elders, which acknowledges the crucial role that elders play across generations in families and communities.

Mayor of the Hills Shire Dr Peter Gangemi said these events aim to educate and raise awareness of the culture and traditions of our First Nations people.?

“We have a fantastic line up of events at Castle Hill Library that will give our Shire’s residents an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture through firsthand experience,” Mayor Gangemi said.?

“I’m particularly excited for our Shire’s younger residents and the range of educational workshops available for them to attend.

“Council is fortunate to have a wonderful partnership with Muru Mittigar and our local Dharug elders and we’re grateful for everything they do to strengthen connections with Council and the wider Hills Shire community.”?

Council’s NAIDOC Week celebrations will begin with a traditional Welcome to Country, didgeridoo performance and Indigenous song and dance performance.

Children in years K-6 at school will then be guided through a sold-out Aboriginal Art Workshop to learn about different painting styles across Australia and create their own artwork using traditional Aboriginal symbols.?

Children can also attend a meaningful cultural session, which will include ochre hand painting, artefacts touch and feel and an interactive clap sticks dance.

Places are still available for the Cultural Sessions. Online bookings are essential.

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Session 1: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Wednesday, 5 July - suitable for years K-2

Session 2: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Wednesday, 5 July - suitable for years 3-6

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Council’s Castle Glen Child Care Centre will also be visited by Gomeroi woman Gwenda Stanley, who will share the stories, dances, languages and artefacts of her culture with students. Balcombe Heights Estate Child Care Centre is also participating in Hills Community Aid’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day by preparing a table of arts and crafts.

For more information or to book a Cultural Session, visit?www.thehills.nsw.gov.au?and search for ‘NAIDOC Week.’

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