NAIDOC celebrations will go ahead in Forbes in November.
The Forbes Aboriginal community has come together once again to plan a COVID-safe celebration for NAIDOC this year. Committee members from Yoorana Gunya, Binaal Billa, Forbes Wiradjuri Rangers, Amaroo, CatholicCare and Council as well as community members and representatives from local schools have joined forces to design a family-friendly celebration to be held at the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre on Friday, 13 November from 4.30pm – 8pm.
The event will feature a range of free activities including traditional art, dancing, storytelling, and language as well as art and craft activities, jumping castles and bungee trampolines plus the chance to win some amazing prizes. There will be a range of food options available including a free barbecue and a variety of food vans to choose from.
“We are really excited to still be able to hold this event,” said Committee Chairperson Debbie Gaudie. “When we first started planning, we weren’t sure what would be happening with restrictions, but we have worked hard to make sure the event is COVID-safe for everyone and can still go ahead.”
“There will be plenty of hand sanitiser available, and we will be fencing off the entire event area with only one entry and one exit with QR code or paper sign in on entry. This will make sure we can manage numbers and make sure we have details for contact tracing as required by the State Government,” Debbie said. “All our activities will be run in a COVID-safe way.”
Attendees will be invited to complete a NAIDOC Celebration passport by completing each of the activities available on the day. The first 50 children to complete the activities on the day will win a fishing rod, kindly donated by DPI Fisheries. In addition, all completed passports will be entered into the draw to win an amazing prize pack from Forbes Shire Council.