Jamie Furness
Inala celebrated NAIDOC Week 2024 for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community at Inala Plaza, with free NAIDOC-themed kids activities from June 26 following an official launch celebration.
The official Inala NAIDOC launch event on June 28 at Inala Plaza featured dance performances and cultural ceremonies to showcase the many activities that took place at the recent annual Family Fun Day event, run by the Inala NAIDOC Steering Committee at the West Inala Football Club on Wednesday 3 July.
Highlights at the launch event included colourful celebrations of dance and music and ceremony from local community groups, a Welcome to Country and ceremonial blessings by elders, as well as an address by members from all tiers of government.
Officially held from July 7 to 14, NAIDOC week 2024 is themed ‘Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud and Proud’.
Following the launch event, the free Inala NAIDOC celebrations at Inala Plaza included a NAIDOC celebration photo wall, kids rainbow serpent bookmark craft from June 26-29, and kids boomerang painting from July 3-6.
Inala Plaza marketing director Donna O’Neill said the Inala NAIDOC celebrations and activities at the centre were held early this year to align with the school holidays and allow maximum participation from children and families across Inala and its neighbouring communities.
“We are proud to support the Inala NAIDOC Steering Committee with our free, fun and educational NAIDOC themed activities for kids,” she said.
“Hosting the Inala NAIDOC launch event at Inala Plaza is always special because it spans all generations and shows the collaboration between Inala’s many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and their numerous community supporters.
“Inala Plaza is honoured to be a unique communal hub for a wonderfully diverse range of cultures, also proudly supporting celebrations for Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Diwali and more via activations and acknowledgement.”
Inala Elder Carl Egert delivers the Welcome to Country to a large crowd at the Inala Plaza NAIDOC launch.
Inala Plaza NAIDOC launch kids performers.
Inala Plaza NAIDOC launch kids performing.
