This week is NAIDOC Week—an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In 2025, we are celebrating the 50th year of NAIDOC Week.
A brief history: What is NAIDOC Week?
The NAIDOC journey began as an activist movement for recognition and rights, recorded from the 1920s but certainly existing much earlier.
In 1938, one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world took place at Australia Hall in Sydney – known as the Day of Mourning, which was then held annually. In 1955, this event became a day of cultural recognition as well as protest, celebrated as ‘Aborigines Day’, and led by a National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC). This later became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).
Over the decades, NAIDOC Week has grown into a powerful national celebration and a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
(This information on NAIDOC history was taken from the NAIDOC and AIATSIS websites. Visit them to find out more.)
How is Link Wentworth celebrating?
Link Wentworth is proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week every year with internal and external staff events. On Wednesday, we’ll be hosting a film screening in our offices and on Friday, our staff volunteers will be helping to cook the BBQ at the Penrith NAIDOC event in Jamison Park. We are also supporting the Merana Aboriginal Association NAIDOC Ball, which takes place in late July.
More ways to celebrate NAIDOC Week
Listen to podcasts or music by First Nations creators
Read some First Nations literature
Follow NAIDOC Week News or subscribe to the NAIDOC Newsletter
Watch some First Nations television or film
Support a local business or community event
Buy a First Nations children’s book for a younger relative – or yourself!
Find out more
To find out more about the Day of Mourning visit the AIATSIS website.
To find out more about the National NAIDOC Committee visit the NAIDOC website.
