NAIDOC 2024 celebrations for Inala’s large and diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will start with free NAIDOC-themed kids’ activities at Inala Plaza from Wednesday June 26 and an official launch event at the centre on Friday 28 June from 10am to 11am.

Highlights at the launch event will include colourful celebrations of dance, music and ceremony from local community groups, while free kids’ craft activities, plus cultural story time, will run at different times throughout the school holidays.

The free Inala NAIDOC celebrations at Inala Plaza include a giant NAIDOC celebration photo wall; kids’ rainbow serpent bookmark craft and First Nation Australian tales story time from 26 to 29 June; and kids’ boomerang painting from 3 to 6 July.

The official Inala NAIDOC launch event on 28 June at Inala Plaza will feature dance performances and cultural ceremonies to showcase the many activities that will take place at the huge annual Family Fun Day event run by the Inala NAIDOC Steering Committee at the West Inala Football Club on Wednesday 3 July.

Free kids’ craft activities at Inala Plaza

Officially held from July 7 to 14, NAIDOC week 2024 is themed ‘Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud and Proud’.

Inala Plaza Marketing Director, Donna O’Neill, said the Inala NAIDOC celebrations and free activities at the centre were being held early this year to align with the school holidays and allow maximum participation from children and families across Inala and its neighbouring communities.

“We are proud to support the Inala NAIDOC Steering Committee with our free, fun and educational NAIDOC themed activities for kids. Hosting the Inala NAIDOC launch event on 28 June at Inala Plaza is special because it spans all generations and shows the collaboration between Inala’s many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and their numerous community supporters.

“Inala Plaza is honoured to be a unique communal hub for a wonderfully diverse range of cultures, also proudly supporting celebrations for Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Diwali and more via activations and acknowledgement.”