For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the
Dreamtime describes a time when the earth, people and
animals were created by our ancestral spiritual beings.
They created the rivers, lakes, plants, land formations
and living creatures.
Dreaming tracks crisscross Australia and trace the
journeys of our ancestral spirits as they created the
land, animals and lores. These dreaming tracks are
sometimes called ‘Songlines’ as they record the travels
of these ancestral spirits who 'sung' the land into life.
These Songlines are recorded in traditional songs,
stories, dance and art. They carry significant spiritual
and cultural connection to knowledge, customs,
ceremony and Lore of many Aboriginal nations and
Torres Strait Islander language groups.
Songlines are intricate maps of land, sea and country.
They describe travel and trade routes, the location of
waterholes and the presence of food. In many cases,
Songlines on the earth are mirrored by sky Songlines,
which allowed people to navigate vast distances of this
nation and its waters.
The extensive network of Songlines can vary in length
from a few kilometres to hundreds of kilometres,
crossing through traditional Country of many Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander language groups. For
example, the Seven Sisters Songline covers more than
half the width of the continent, from deep in the Central
Desert out to the West Coast while others connect the
Gulf of Carpentaria with the Snowy Mountains near
Canberra.
Aboriginal language groups are connected through the
sharing of Songlines with each language group
responsible for parts of a Songline.
Through songs, art, dance and ceremony, Torres Strait
Islanders also maintain creation stories which celebrate
their connection to land and sea.
Songlines have been passed down for thousands of
years and are central to the existence of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people. They are imperative to the
preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
cultural practices.
We invite all Australians to learn more about Songlines
and explore those which have created the Country in
your region. Learn how Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities are today using digital
technologies and modern mediums to record and
celebrate these ancient Songlines or dreaming stories.
Family Fun Day
Saturday 2 July, 2016, 10am - 2.30pm
Location: Singleton Civic Centre Green
Details: Flag-raising, BBQ, cultural dancing, jumping castle and much more.
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NAIDOC Week at Christ Church Cathedral
Sunday, July 3, 2016, 3.00pm - 4.30pm
Location: Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle
Details: Cost: Free. Our celebration this year will particularly focus on the contributions of our
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders. The gathering will allow us to come together, to
listen and talk with one another and share afternoon tea. For more information:
[email protected]
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NAIDOC Celebrations
Monday 4 July, 2016, all day
Location: Newcastle Foreshore Park, Shortland Park, Wharf Road, Newcastle
Details: 9.00 am flag raising at Christ Church Cathedral with march to Newcastle
Foreshore park for cultural activities, music, kids activities , stalls and food. Cost: Free
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Indigenous Stories & Craft
Tuesday, 5 July 2016, 10.30 am – 11.30 am
Location: Hamilton Librar y, 44 James Street, Hamilton
Details: Celebrate our indigenous heritage w ith stories, songs and music from Uncle
Perry Fuller, a Yadaki (didgeridoo) player and artist. Age: 3 -10 years FREE EVENT.
Bookings essential: http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/naidoc-week-indigenous-stories-craft
-hamilton-library-newcastle-region-library-tickets-20715841640
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Lake Macquarie City Council flag raising and morning tea
Tuesday, July 5, 2016, 9.00 am – 10.15am
Location: Lake Macquarie City Council Administration Building 126-138 Main Road Speers
Point
Details: Flag raising with cultural performances and keynote speaker, followed by a light
bush tucker morning tea and NAIDOC theme cake. For more information: Maree Edwards 0421
601 539. ALL welcome to attend this annual event. Cost: FREE
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Family Fun Day
Tuesday, 5 July 2016, 10.00am – 3.00pm
Location: Toronto Foreshore, Victory Parade, Toronto
Details: Westlakes NAIDOC Family Fun Day begins with a peaceful march down The
Boulevarde to the Toronto foreshore starting at 10.30am at the Toronto Court House. The
activities on the Toronto foreshore include live entertainment from local aboriginal artists and
celebrities, displays by local service providers, a free BBQ for the community, and the annual
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award ceremony, recognizing local people who have
contributed to the community over the past 12 months. The day involves both Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people coming together to promote understanding and pride, educate the youth, and
celebrate the diversity of the Australian culture. The event is free. For further information contact
Nicole 0409 902 043 [email protected]
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Indigenous Stories & Craft
Wednesday, 6 July 2016, 10.30 am - 11.30am
Location: Wallsend District Librar y - 30 Bunn Street, WALLSEND
Details: Celebrate our indigenous heritage w ith stories, songs and music from Uncle
Perry Fuller, a Yadaki (didgeridoo) player and artist. Age: 3 -10 years. FREE EVENT.
Bookings essential https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/naidoc-week-indigenous-storiescraft-wallsend-district-library-tickets-20715860697
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NAIDOC storytime-celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
Thursday, 7 July 2016, 11.00am – 12.00 pm
Location: Toronto Library 5 Pemell Street, Toronto, NSW 2283
Details: Join us as we celebrate NAIDOC week with stories and songs from Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander cultures on the colourful Naruta-Ka-Wa Story Quilt. Storytime includes a fun
craft activity. Bookings are essential. To find our more, contact Toronto Library on 4959 2077.
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NAIDOC Family Fun Day
Friday 15 July 2016, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Location: Pelican Foreshore
Details: stallholders, kids’ activities and the Eastlakes’ Got Talent competition. For more
information: facebook.com/eastlakesnaidocffd.
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NAIDOC storytime-celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
Friday, 8 July 2016, 10.30 am- 11.15 am
Location: Swansea Library 228 Pacific Highway, Swansea
Details: Help us celebrate NAIDOC Week at our special storytime with guest artist and
illustrator, Fern Martins. Join the fun with stories, songs and craft. Suitable for ages 3-7yrs.
Bookings are essential. To find out more, call Swansea Library on 4921 0780.
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Film: Putuparri and the Rainmakers
Friday, July 8, 2016, 18:00 to 21:00
Location: Newcastle Event Cinemas, King St, Newcastle
Details: In celebration of NAIDOC Week Newcastle Region Library presents a free film
screening of the 2015 CinéfestOz award-winning documentary Putuparri and the Rainmakers.
Set against the backdrop of this long fight for ownership of traditional lands, Putuparri and the
Rainmakers is an emotional, visually breathtaking story of love, hope and the survival of
Aboriginal law and culture against all odds. Following the screening there will be a panel
discussion about Indigenous films and filmmaking hosted by Newcastle City Council Aboriginal
Development Officer, Nathan Brennan, with guest speakers Paul Elliott (Director of Photography)
and Grant Leigh Saunders (Owner and Creative Director of Sonic Nomad). Bookings are
essential through the below link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/putuparri-and-the-rainmakersfilm-screening-and-discussion-tickets-24729913838
NAIDOC Touch Football Day
Friday, July 8, 2016, from 8.45am
Location: Wallsend Touch Football Grounds, Lewis St, Wallsend
Details: Male and female competitions (Cost of entry: $25.00), kids activities, stalls and food.
For more information: Paul Douglas 0428 404 804
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Upper Hunter NAIDOC Week Awards
Friday, July 8, 2016, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Location: Club Singleton, Williams Street, Singleton
Details: The Upper Hunter NAIDOC Week Awards Working Group, in conjunction with
Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council and Singleton Council will host the event on Friday 8
July. The awards night will celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
young and old in all areas of society including education, art, industry, community, sport and
youth. Tickets ($25) can be purchased at any of the following locations Wanaruah Local
Aboriginal Land Council, 19 Maitland Road, Muswellbrook or Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation,
or by contacting Jean Hands at [email protected]
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NAIDOC Week 2016 Cultural & Heritage Tour
Sunday, July 10, 2016, 8.00am – 2.30pm
Location: The tour will visit the Baiame caves, Yengo National Park and Finchley lookout.
Details: Glencore together with the Singleton NAIDOC Planning Committee will host a
FREE Cultural and Heritage tour to celebrate NAIDOC 2016. The free tour takes place on
Sunday July 10 and will visit significant Aboriginal cultural sites in the Upper Hunter. Guided by
Glenn Morris, the tour will visit the Baiame caves, Yengo National Park and Finchley lookout,
where lunch will be provided. A bus will depart the Singleton Visitor Information Centre car park
at 8am and the tour is expected to conclude by 2.30pm. Anyone interested in joining the tour
must register, as seats are limited. To book please call Glencore’s Michelle Hunter on 02 4925
6482 or email at [email protected] before 7 July.
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Koorioke
Friday 8 July, from 6.30pm
Location: Club Macquarie, Lake Road, Argenton
Details: NAIDOC Westlakes will host its popular Elders Koorioke
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Gathering of Catholic Aboriginal People
Sunday 10 July, 5:00PM
Location: Sacred Heart Cathedral, 841 Hunter Street, Newcastle West.
Details and RSVP: Dennis Potts 0419 464 979 by 8 July.
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Eastlakes Family Fun Day
Friday 15th July 2016, 10am til 4pm.
Location: Pelican foreshore
Details: Free BBQ lunch, live entertainment, children’s activities, stallholders, community
award, and Eastlake Got Talent. For more information: Bahtabah LALC 4971 4800