I wish to acknowledge the custodians of this land, the Gubbi Gubbi people of the Ningi Ningi nation and their Elders past and present. I acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. 

Aboriginal people began boycotting Australia Day before the 1920’s but realised that few of the general population were aware of their issues and concerns so if their actions were to have any effect they needed a much stronger presence. It wasn’t until the 50’s and 60’s however that the original concept of NADOC  (National Aborigines Day Observance Committee) began to take real shape and become a fully recognised and important part of our national awareness. In the 90’s the growing realisation of the distince differences in Aboriginal and Islander cultures saw the ‘I’ added to NAIDOC and the day became a week. Now widely celebrated and supported by people all around the country all working towards a full reconciliation and understanding of cross-cultural perspectives each year is typified by a particular theme.

In 2018 the theme reflects the integral importance of women in Indigenous cultures – not only as mothers, grandmothers, aunties, sisters and daughters but in their many and varied occupations from almost every conceivable profession.

I celebrate the contributions of these amazing women and welcome you to my own literary celebration for NAIDOC 2018.