The Moree community is invited to come together to celebrate Aboriginal people across two big weeks of activities as part of NAIDOC Week 2019.
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This year's NAIDOC Week theme, Voice Treaty Truth, follows on from Reconciliation Week, encouraging people to work together for a shared future.
Voice Treaty Truth were three key elements to reform set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart - Aboriginal people want their voice to be heard, want a role in decision-making in Australia's democracy and believe the true story of colonisation must be told, heard and acknowledged, so the nation can move forward together.
"It's about listening and sharing stories, and the Aboriginal languages passed down from generations, and it focusses on the need for a First Nation's voice in parliament," Moree Aboriginal Interagency chair Glen Crump said.
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Mr Crump said NAIDOC Week, celebrated from July 7 to 14, is a chance to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Australia's Indigenous people.
"It's a week to showcase the uniqueness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people right across the nation," he said.
Moree's NAIDOC Week celebrations run over more than two weeks, and the Moree Aboriginal Interagency have once again put together a full calendar of events.
It all gets underway this Friday, July 5 with a NAIDOC art exhibition opening Waan Nginaalingu - Let's Work Together at 5.30pm. The exhibition features Aboriginal artists, including Moree's own Melinda Cain and Toomelah's Phillip McIntosh, who have collaborated on their first Moree exhibition at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre.
On Saturday, July 6 there'll be a NAIDOC bowls event at Moree Services Club from 8.30am, followed by the NAIDOC Rugby League Shield between Moree Boomerangs and Narwan Eels at 12pm. At 1pm there'll be the inaugural NAIDOC Soccer Shield Indigenous Round.
A snooker competition will take place from 10am on Sunday, July 7, with names to be in by 4pm on Saturday.
The NAIDOC official opening will be held on Monday, July 8, with a morning tea at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre at 9.30am, followed by a march at 10.15am from the Dhiiyaan Centre to Town Hall for the official ceremony. A barbecue lunch at Kirkby Park will follow at 12pm.
Tuesday is a full day, with The Big Lift hosting a working bee and community day at Cooee Park from 8am to 12pm, with a free barbecue and kids' activities. At 9am Moree Police Station will have a morning tea, while NSW TrainLink will host a morning tea and photo exhibition of the station at 9.30am. At 12pm Moree Health Service will host their annual NAIDOC flag raising celebration, with a barbecue lunch provided.
Pius X's annual NAIDOC elders bingo will be held from 10.30am on Wednesday, July 10, with lunch provided. At 11am on Wednesday, artist in residence Phillip McIntosh will be running an Aboriginal art workshop at the Dhiiyaan Centre, with canvas, art equipment and lunch provided.
On Thursday, July 11 will be a cultural family fun day at the SHAE Academy from 11am, featuring traditional games and dancing, jumping castles, giant slides, blow up games, a petting zoo, arts corner, face painting, basket weaving and food stalls.
Fairview Retirement Village will host a community morning tea at 10am on Friday, July 12.
On Saturday, July 13, there'll be NAIDOC poker at Moree Services Club, with lunch included.
Junior kids' discos will be held at the Multi-Purpose Centre on Tuesday, July 16 from 5pm to 7pm for preschool to infants children and 8pm to 10pm for primary school children. The theme is red, black and yellow, with great prizes, and a free hot dog and drink provided.
An elders dinner dance will be held at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre from 6pm on Wednesday, July 17, with a camp oven dinner and dessert.
On Thursday, July 18, there'll be a NAIDOC sports day from 11am to 2pm at the SHAE Academy, with traditional games, novelty races, touch football, soccer and more. At 7pm that night will be a NAIDOC Murrioke singing competition with DJ Baker Boy at the Victoria Hotel, with prizes for the best singers.
A NAIDOC golf two-man ambrose tournament will be held from 7.30am on Friday, July 19, with lunch provided.
A NAIDOC pool competition Tough Guy Newman and Kenny Bri Johnson Memorial Shield will be held from 2pm on Saturday, July. At 8pm the Victoria Hotel will host a NAIDOC disco with DJ Baker Boy, with free entry.
Finally, on Monday, July 22, there'll be a NAIDOC trivia night at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre, with money raised to support the Moree Aboriginal Elders Olympics to be held in September. Cost is $10 per player, with teams of eight. Call 6752 1346 to book.
