Waikerie Community Sports Centre hosts NAIDOC Community Breakfast 

More than 90 community members came together here at Waikerie Community Sports Centre to celebrate NAIDOC Week and the 50th anniversary of the national celebration, recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Hosted in partnership with the Riverland Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council and the District Council of Loxton Waikerie, the community breakfast brought together local organisations, businesses and locals to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Fifty Years of Deadly’, while also recognising 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations across Australia.

The event marked the first major NAIDOC celebration held in Waikerie in more than a decade, creating an opportunity for the community to come together, connect and celebrate local Aboriginal culture and traditions.

Local businesses and groups played an important role in the morning’s success. The Brothers Supporting Brothers Men’s Group cooked bacon and egg rolls for attendees, while a Traditional Smoking Ceremony was led by Riverland NAIDOC Committee member Sam Mitchell.

Families and children also participated in a range of cultural activities throughout the morning, including traditional basket weaving facilitated by Mardawi and a storytelling session presented by Waikerie Library.

Our Venue Manager Hayley Collins said it was rewarding to see the community come together for the occasion.

“It was so good to see everyone have a chance to celebrate NAIDOC Week and share Indigenous culture with the town,” she said.

Community member Leah Cryer thanked everyone involved in bringing the event to life.

“Without Hayley’s passion to help put things together and Belgravia Leisure’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to hold an event like this.

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for NAIDOC celebrations in Waikerie.”