All systems go for Clare's NAIDOC event this January

Postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, Clare’s NAIDOC event will now go ahead on Saturday, 30 January 2021 in a new twilight format to beat the heat.

Determined to proceed with the exciting event after many months of planning, the Clare NAIDOC Committee landed on the new date, which is the first weekend following the school holiday break.

Natalie Sommerville, Chair of the Clare NAIDOC Committee said the organising group had worked hard to ensure the community could still enjoy this important cultural event, which will bring centuries-old Ngadjuri cultural practices to life.

“We’re thrilled that we’re on track to make this event happen, with nearly all the original plans in place,” she said.

“The main change is that we’ve rescheduled it as a twilight event, from 4pm to 9pm, just in case it’s a hot day.”

NAIDOC in Clare Take 2, to be held under the gum trees at the Clare Showgrounds, will celebrate Ngadjuri and other first Nations peoples with dynamic demonstrations of music, art, dance, cooking and ceremonies, revealing the cultural diversity and richness within our greater community.

The Committee has planned a day of action-packed activities ranging from clap stick and bead making to cooking kangaroo tails and Aboriginal painting. Designed to be family friendly, Animals Anonymous will be there with a range of native animals to see and touch, while singing palaeontologist Professor Flint will share the prehistoric stories of South Australia, including facts about megafauna such as huge wombats, giant scissor-toothed possums and ducks bigger than emus.

Ngadjuri man Quenten Agius, who has been involved in the event’s planning, said it was not only an opportunity for non-indigenous people to experience Aboriginal culture, it was a chance for Ngadjuri peoples to come together on Country and share their experiences and stories with each other and the public.

“We welcome the people of Clare and others onto Ngadjuri Country for Clare’s NAIDOC event. Ngadjuri people remain connected to Country, caring for our cultural landscapes and performing ceremonies and we are excited to share parts of our culture with the broader community at this event,” he said.

Book your free ticket now: https://naidoctake2.eventbrite.com.au

This project is supported by the Clare NAIDOC Committee and Ngadjuri Nation Aboriginal Corporation, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council, the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board and the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board. The Clare NAIDOC event has also received support from Sonder and the Department for Education.