NAIDOC Celebrations Around the Dioceses

Diocese of Wollongong

The theme for 2023 National NAIDOC Week was For Our Elders. Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong celebrated NAIDOC with their school communities, Aboriginal communities and most importantly with their local Aboriginal Elders.

Here some images from just a few Wollongong schools as they celebrated NAIDOC.

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

The NAIDOC Mass is a very important event in the life of the Canberra and Coulburn Archdiocese, giving the community an opportunity to reflect on their history, rich diversity and the wonderful mix of cultures in their Catholic schools across the Archdiocese. 

People gathered for Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka and also celebrated Mass in four of the regional towns - Cootamundra, Moruya, Goulburn and Tumut - with Archdiocesan schools from surrounding areas attending.  

At Carroll College Broulee, Indigenous students and SLT attended the Catholic Education NAIDOC Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Moruya with all of the Catholic schools in THEregion to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Following the mass, Malaki Moreton, Charlee Phillips and Tanesha Dennis were recognised with Leadership Awards for their leadership and support of younger Aboriginal students.

Diocese of Bathurst

On a chilly but sunny morning, on 30 May, the Catholic Education Diocese Bathurst celebrated National Reconciliation Week with a Mass at the Cathedral of St John and St Michael. Local Bathurst school students, staff, parents and members of the community all joined together with Uncle Bill Allen, Dinawan Dyirribang, a senior Wiradyuri Elder and Jade Flynn, Yanhadarrambul, in a Smoking ceremony following a full Welcome to Country ceremony which included a dance by Assumption Catholic School Tiddas and the Welcome by Uncle Bill.

A number of students played a part in the Mass, being a Voice for Generations. May we learn from our students who demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together towards a future of unity and understanding.

We stand on the shoulders of generations of Elders who have paved the way for a better way of life for all. Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role, and hold a prominent place in our community and families.