NAIDOC (Natonal Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Australian Indigenous people and this year’s theme is “Because of her, we can”. 

Wiradyuri elder Dinawan Djirrbang spoke at a flag raising ceremony at the Bathurst Regional Council chambers on Monday morning and spoke of the importance of women to the Indigenous community.

“We all come from women and without them we can’t be here. We all have a women side to us,” he said.

“We need to show respect to mother and mother earth and with her, we can.

“For hundreds of thousands of years, we’ve had a strong tradition of no violence against women.”

Bathurst’s Indigenous community will be further celebrating NAIDOC Week when the weather is warmer.

Details will be provided closer to the date.