Tea Gardens Public School celebrates NAIDOC Week 2025

COMMUNITY, culture and collaboration were on display at the NAIDOC Week celebrations held at Tea Gardens Public School (TGPS) on Thursday 24 July.

Students, staff and members of the broader community came together to celebrate Indigenous culture, and engage in a range of activities featuring traditional games, instruments, dance and more.

Hunter Local Land Services also gave a demonstration of cultural burning.

In line with the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme of ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’, two TGPS students shared public speaking pieces about their Aboriginal culture.

Koby Franks shared his background and heritage as part of the Welcome to Country, and Archie Wall led the cake cutting at the conclusion of the event.

TGPS Principal Mark Clemson thanked all in attendance for their support of the event.

“Your presence and participation made the day truly special,” he said.

“We extend our gratitude to the volunteers, staff, and local organisations who helped make this event possible, including cultural burning with Hunter Local Land Services, and the representatives from MidCoast Council for their support and for the grant funding.”

TGPS student Archie Wall said his favourite activity of the day was boomerang throwing.

“NAIDOC day was a very nice day because of the Elders that visited the school and the fun activities run by Murrook,” he said.

“I also enjoyed the opportunity to present my speech on culture and community to the school and visitors.”

Another student, Kayleigh Thompson, enjoyed “boomerang throwing, dancing and eating the NAIDOC cake”.

Worimi Elder Aunty Dr Liz McEntyre offered the Welcome to Country at the event.

“NAIDOC Week celebrates the cultures, histories, achievements and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Aunty Liz said.

“It is a time to stand alongside our communities and honour the enduring strength and spirit of First Peoples that keeps us all going strong.”

Launched in 1975, this year marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC celebrations.

“2025 marks a powerful milestone: 50 years since NAIDOC was formally established as a national movement, honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, and celebrating our cultures and the teaching of our histories,” Aunty Liz said.

“The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Aboriginal communities who saw a future built on justice and equality.

“Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration of Australia’s First Peoples, and our allies.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while every day ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and cultural integrity.”

Noting this year’s NAIDOC theme, Aunty Liz spoke of the importance of celebrating Indigenous youth.

“This year, the National NAIDOC Committee took an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation,” she said.

“The theme was selected following the committee’s distress at the way in which our youth are often demeaned in the media and presented as social pariahs and potential risks to the wider community’s safety.

“To us, our youth are our cultural and social strength, and the continuity for our communities and we celebrate the role you play in all of our futures.

“You are our strength, and we know that you provide our vision in the advancement of First Peoples rights and cultures, not just in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, but across the country, and we all know that your future legacies will inspire powerful change for generations to come.”

The event was made possible through a collaboration between the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Aboriginal Reference Group, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Tea Gardens Public School, and MidCoast Council.

By Thomas O’KEEFE