Casuarina NAIDOC Celebrations

Member for Solomon, Mr David Tollner MP, today joined Centrelink staff at the Casuarina Customer Service Centre to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee).

Local Indigenous groups and Larrakia Elders also took part in the event which featured the creation of a painting by local Aboriginal artist Sonda "Nampijmpa” Turner.

Mr Tollner said NAIDOC Week provided an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the culture and traditions of Indigenous people.
"Celebrations such as this provide an opportunity for Indigenous Australians to reflect on their achievements over the past 50 years,” Mr Tollner said.

"NAIDOC week is an important time for all Australians to hear about the culture and history of Australia's Indigenous people and to explore new and better ways of meeting challenges in our communities.”

Centrelink Area Manager, Area North Australia, Barbara Causon, said it was a significant achievement to be able to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC.

"NAIDOC provides a great opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal of Torres Strait Island peoples to Australian society,” she said.

For the entire month of July, Centrelink will have as its front of house theme: "Centrelink Supporting Indigenous Australians”.
Centrelink staff will be holding celebrations across Australia at Customer Service Centres, Remote Area Service Centres, Indigenous Call Centres, National Support Offices and Indigenous Service Units.

2007-07-06