Bellingen Shire Celebrates 50 Years of NAIDOC Week
Published on 07 August 2025
On display at both events was the Biindarray Yuurrun Sail Tapestry – a tapestry woven piece by piece onto a sail that tells the story of enduring presence and survival along the Kalang and Bellinger rivers.
NAIDOC Week 2025 was celebrated across the Bellingen Shire with a series of vibrant, community-led events throughout July — all proudly supported by Bellingen Shire Council.
This year marked a significant milestone: 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations, with the national theme "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy" shining a spotlight on the young leaders of tomorrow, grounded in the wisdom and strength of Elders and generations past.
Community Celebrations – Urunga and Mylestom
Presented by Galangga Biindarray Indigenous Corporation (GBIC) in partnership with the Neighbourhood Centres of the Bellingen Shire, two community NAIDOC events were held on Saturday 12 July in Urunga and Saturday 19 July in Mylestom, in what Frances Witt from GBIC described as “a truly memorable gathering of community.”
Despite wintry windy conditions, both events drew a strong turnout — with approximately 60 attendees in Urunga and 65 in Mylestom. Activities across both gatherings included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, Elder-led yarning circles, traditional storytelling, and children’s activities such as face painting, air-dry clay moulding, painting and prizes. On display at both events was the Biindarray Yuurrun Sail Tapestry – a masterpiece of Gumbaynggirr history. A tapestry woven piece by piece onto a sail that tells the story of enduring presence and survival along the Kalang and Bellinger rivers.
Community members also enjoyed traditional bush foods like kangaroo stew and damper, alongside a sausage sizzle and morning tea. These events created warm, inclusive spaces for cultural exchange and community connection.
One of the Shire’s longest-standing NAIDOC celebrations, NAIDOC on the PLATEAU, was hosted by Dorrigo High School in collaboration with all Plateau schools — including Dorrigo Public, Ebor Public, Hernani Public, Dundurrabin Public, Dorrigo Preschool, and Mt St Johns Catholic — as well as the Dorrigo Plateau Local Aboriginal Lands Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Now in its 13th year, the event brought together around 270 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, along with Elders and community members, for a day of cultural activities. The program featured opening and closing ceremonies and a wide range of cultural workshops delivered by Indigenous facilitators, celebrating food, music, dance, art, and connection to Country.
Throughout July, Bellingen Shire Libraries in Urunga, Bellingen, and Dorrigo hosted NAIDOC-themed displays highlighting their Aboriginal Collection and inviting the community to explore Gumbaynggirr language resources.
As part of the program, Dorrigo Library presented a free community screening of “In My Blood It Runs” on Friday 4 July as part of its Vintage Film Club. The film provided a powerful space for reflection and dialogue on identity, justice, and the experiences of young First Nations people.
From yarning circles and storytelling to art, food, and film, Bellingen Shire’s NAIDOC Week celebrations reflected the depth, diversity, and resilience of First Nations cultures. Council extends its gratitude to all the Elders, organisers, schools, and community members who brought these events to life.