NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day

Emerton Leisure Centre will celebrate NAIDOC Week with a Family Fun Day between 11am - 3pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) Week provides a platform to promote awareness, recognition and an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' history and culture.

Celebrations of NAIDOC began in the 1920's and aimed to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

The 2009 NAIDOC Week theme is 'Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth' which seeks to encourage community acknowledgement of the status of Elders as leaders and role models for youth.

The Emerton Leisure Centre Family Fun Day will be jam packed with activities including:

• Live tradition Aboriginal and hip hop performance by Liv'en Truth at 12.30pm
• Aboriginal Art workshop
• Traditional Aboriginal Games
• Information stalls
• Waterslide and inflatable fun
• Kids water and dry games
• Competitions and prizes
• BBQ and much more

Normal entry charges will apply at Emerton Leisure Centre on Wednesday, July 15, for more information contact the Centre on 9628 7016.

Please note: The date of the Emerton Leisure Centre NAIDOC Family Fun Day was incorrectly printed in the Winter Edition of the Blacktown City Bulletin newsletter. The correct date is Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

"Blacktown City has one of the largest Indigenous populations in NSW and NAIDOC Week is a very special time in our community. I encourage the community to take part in the NAIDOC Week activities and learn about our countries Indigenous history and culture", Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Charlie Lowles said.

Other NAIDOC Week activities in Blacktown City include:

• Black(s)town Art Exhibition

Exhibition dates: 26 June - 29 August 2009. Opening time: 10am - 5pm '

Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown

Black(s)town is an exhibition of established and emerging artists exploring the origins of Blacktown through its historical and contemporary Aboriginal identities. Inspired and informed by the stories of the original Blacks' Town settlement, this project acknowledges and celebrates Aboriginal heritage and contemporary practices within Blacktown, while exploring issues central to the identity of the region.

Ph: 9839 6558

• NAIDOC Week celebrations

3.30pm - 6pm Wednesday 8 July

Emerton Youth Recreation Centre, cnr Copeland & Jersey Rds, Emerton

Beading, face painting, traditional Aboriginal games, Free BBQ, Oz Tag, cultural painting.

FREE Entry. Enquiries: 9628 9292

• AFL NAIDOC Celebrations

10am - 2pm, Friday, July 10

Blacktown Olympic Park, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill

Art workshops, Kick Start clinics, BBQ, face painting, tattoos, dance performances.

Special guests: Casey Donovan, Sydney Swans & Essendon players!

FREE

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Performance

10am - 3pm, Saturday, July 11

On Four, Westpoint Blacktown

Featuring stalls, face painting, workshops, performances.

FREE. Ph: 9839 6167

• Riverstone NAIDOC Day

10am - 4pm, Tuesday, July 14

Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, cnr Park & Market Streets, Riverstone

FREE. Featuring: Stalls, music, clowns, BBQ, Face Painting and Jumping Castle.

Ph: 9627 3622

• NAIDOC Week First Aid Course

9am - 5pm, July 16 & 17 (2 day course)

Emerton Leisure Centre, Jersey Road, Emerton

This 2 day course is FREE for Indigenous participants - bookings are essential and spots are limited. All participants at the conclusion of the day will gain a Senior First Aid certificate accredited by Royal Life Saving Australia.

Ph: 9628 7016