Central Coast Council will kick off NAIDOC celebrations on the Coast with its annual Flag Raising Ceremony and morning tea on Monday 3 July from 10am in Wyong.

NAIDOC Week runs from 2 to 9 July, celebrating Indigenous Australians’ history, culture and achievements.

Indigenous flags will be raised in front of the Council Office in Hely Street, Wyong followed by an official ceremony at The Art House.

The morning will include guest speakers and morning tea, with the highlight being performances by local students from the Indigenous Dance Residency program.

Council has facilitated workshops for local high school students to learn contemporary dancing with traditional elements from professional dancers who have all graduated from NAISDA.

Now its second year, this program will involve 50 students from Gorokan High, Northlakes High and Tuggerah Lakes Campuses (Berkeley Vale and Tumbi Umbi) – with Gorokan High creating their own music for their dance piece.

Celebrations will continue across the Central Coast with morning teas, library storytimes and kids’ activities, as well as entertainment, sport and much more.

The annual Community Day and Indigenous Careers Expo will be held at Gosford Racecourse on Tuesday 4 July, 10am-3pm and Darkinjung’s Family Fun Day on Wednesday 5 July at Baker Park, Wyong, 9am-3pm

NAIDOC Week gives the community an opportunity to obtain a greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their culture.

This year’s theme is ‘Our Languages Matter’, aimed at raising awareness of the status and importance of Indigenous languages across the country.

For more information on NAIDOC Week, see What’s On at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au