Because of Her, We Can!
For NAIDOC Week 2018, we celebrated the essential role that women have played – and continue to play – as active and significant role models at the community, local, state and national levels.
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
NAIDOC Week 2018 (8-15 July) celebrated the theme ‘Because of Her, We Can!’.
As pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played – and continue to play – active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels.
As leaders, trailblazers, politicians, activists and social change advocates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women fought and continue to fight, for justice, equal rights, our rights to country, for law and justice, access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate our culture, language, music and art.
They continue to influence as doctors, lawyers, teachers, electricians, chefs, nurses, architects, rangers, emergency and defence personnel, writers, volunteers, chief executive officers, actors, singer-songwriters, journalists, entrepreneurs, media personalities, board members, accountants, academics, sporting icons and Olympians, the list goes on.
Detective Senior Sergeant Sam Bliss, Minister Mark Bailey, Indigenous artist Jenna Lee and Commissioner Ian Stewart with members of the Queensland Police Service in their ‘Look to the Stars’ uniform on the steps of Police Headquarters.
On Tuesday 10th July 2018, Inala Community House Community Engagement team was invited to join the symbolic 2018 NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony and Celebratory Breakfast held at Police Headquarters, organised by Queensland Police Service.
The ceremony began outside Police Headquarters where MC Superintendent Mark Plath introduced this year’s flag raisers, Detective Senior Sergeant Sam Bliss, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, and, Indigenous artist Jenna Lee (Gilimbaa) of the Larrakia people, who created the ‘Look to the Stars’ artwork according to 2018 NAIDOC’s theme ‘Because of Her, We Can’.
After the official flag raising ceremony, everyone was invited to have breakfast at Hotel Jen.
Aunty Pat from Inala Elders and our Inala Community House Community Engagement Manager Haley Kiata.
“NAIDOC Week is a time to come together and celebrate the oldest continuing cultures on earth and to acknowledge the significant contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to our country and society,” said Minister for Police and Corrective Services Mark Ryan in his address.
For more information about NAIDOC, please visit www.NAIDOC.org.au. We also thank Queensland Police Service for organising this meaningful event: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2018/07/10/naidoc-celebrations-sees-service-look-to-the-stars/.
You can contact our Inala Community House team: 3372 1711 | info@ich.org.au | www.Facebook.com/ICHAustralia | www.ich.org.au | 38 Sittella Street, Inala QLD 4077