About NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday) to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrating the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
NAIDOC Week in the City
The City of Bayswater acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, and pays its respects to Elders past, present and emerging who have cared for Country for thousands of years and who continue to care for Country today.
Each year, the City hosts a range of free community celebrations to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
Kaarla Kaatijin by Yirra Yaakin
- Free event, all ages
- The RISE, 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
- Thursday 10 July, 2 – 4pm (arrive at 1.30pm for a 2-3pm performance, followed by Q&A session and ice-cream cart from 3-4pm)
Kaarla Kaatijin means to ‘understand fire’ in Noongar language. Come on a journey into the lives of Djitty Djitty (Willy Wagtail), Kulbardi (Magpie), Dwert (Dingo) and more friends as they explore the importance of Kaarla (Fire).
Drawing from creation stories in and around Boorloo metropolitan area, playwright Zac James draws on traditional knowledge and storytelling to introduce young audiences to stories about fire in an authentic and engaging way. Kaarla Kaatijin explores the importance of fire, spiritually and practically, using Noongar Dreaming stories and language, puppetry, masks and music, as young children experience stories in an engaging and joyful way.
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s much-loved Kaatijin Series introduces audiences to caring for country, environmental sustainability, cultural awareness and what it means to be a strong, centred individual learning about the world.
Bookings are essential.
Rainbow Storytime with Isobel Bevis
- Ages 0 – 8
- Bayswater Library
- Saturday 5 July, 10 – 11am
Join First Nations author Isobel Bevis for a special bilingual storytime. Isobel will read her award-winning book Nedingar: Ancestors in English and Noongar language.
Bookings are essential.
Noongar Language and Culture with Carol Foley
- Maylands Library
- Saturday 12 July, 10 – 11am
Come along to a special NAIDOC language workshop with Carol Foley to learn First Nations language and culture.
Bookings are essential.
Book now
Storytelling, Dancing and Community Planting Day for NAIDOC Week
- Bardon Park (Malgamongup), Maylands
- Saturday 12 July, 9am – 12pm
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and give back to the environment at this special community planting day at Malgamongup (Bardon Park). Enjoy a yarning session with Uncle Noel Nannup and a tradition dance performance by Ngalak Nidja.
Book now
Art Workshops with Sarah Weston
- Ages 6 – 12
- Bayswater Library, Wednesday 16 July, 10 – 11am
- Morley Library, Wednesday 16 July, 1 – 2pm
- Maylands Library, Thursday 17 July, 1 – 2pm
Contribute to a group artwork under the guidance of Noongar artist Sarah Weston. Each session will add to an artwork that tells a story of community connection.
Bookings are essential and open one week prior. Bayswater Bilbies reading rewards club members receive priority booking.
join the waitlist
Videos from the City
Baigup Biidii - Path to Place of Rushes
The video was made in collaboration with the City of Bayswater, the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Baigup Wetland Interest Group. Whadjuk Elders Dr Noel Nannup and Marie Taylor share their traditional Noongar knowledge, customs and stories (Dreamtime) of Baigup Biidii and the ongoing importance of the wetlands.
NAIDOC Week - the history behind Lightning Swamp Bushland
Balladong, Whadjuk, Nyungar Representative Mr Barry McGuire and Belinda Cox, Kangeang/Bibblemun woman, share their traditional Noongar knowledge and culture of this special bushland; in particular, the importance of smoking ceremonies to heal people and Country, and the medicine and food that the bushland provides.
Proudly supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
