NAIDOC Week at PCYC: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud

NAIDOC Week 2024 at PCYC was a vibrant celebration across Western Australia, reflecting this year’s powerful theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.” The week was filled with a diverse range of events and activities that highlighted community spirit, cultural richness, and education.

In Boorloo (Perth), Walyalup (Fremantle) PCYC kicked off the celebrations by participating in a pre-NAIDOC event with a Smoking Ceremony and Sand Mural. Kensington and Subiaco saw young people from OHSC and KinderGym immersing themselves in NAIDOC week activities, including arts and crafts, a lesson on Noongar history from Elder Greg Nannup, and a special NAIDOC morning tea for KinderGym families. Gosnells PCYC welcomed the community to their NAIDOC Day, offering Didgeridoo painting, beading, and a screening of Bran Nue Dae.

In Karlkurla (Kalgoorlie) PCYC set up a kids' play area at the NAIDOC Opening Ceremony, which saw over 1000 people in attendance. Creative young people from our safeSPACE™ program crafted a colourful banner for the town march. The celebrations continued with the annual PCYC NAIDOC Disco, which saw 160 young people and an additional 100 family members dancing the night away.

Up in our northern Centres Goonoonoorrang (Kununurra) PCYC supported the WAPOL Community Concert, also taking part in the NAIDOC Community Day, and NAIDOC Dance. These special celebrations concluded with hosting a community movie night. Leramugadu (Roebourne) PCYC, in collaboration with the 4U Foundation, hosted a NAIDOC Community Night Youth Talent Show, which was a huge hit with young people and families in the community. Rubibi (Broome) PCYC continued it’s collaboration with the Broome Youth and Families Hub for the Elders Brunch, including organising a cultural workshop and bush walk.

In Gwoonwardu (Carnarvon), PCYC hosted a bustling stall at the NAIDOC Family Fun Day with activities and a DJ. Our partnership with NGALA and the Shire of Carnarvon featured a 3v3 basketball tournament with basketball greats, Greg Hire and Brad Robbins. PCYC also took part in the NAIDOC Youth Ball and community movie screening.

Collie PCYC hosted a community event run entirely by young people, and invited over 100 local community members to enjoy free cultural activities and a meal. The celebrations ended with a screening of Windcatcher. Also in the South West, Goomburrup (Bunbury) PCYC took a group of young people to the Bunbury Regional Arts Gallery followed by a cultural arts-based workshop at the Centre. Young people also enjoyed a cultural bush walk with a local elder.

In Jambinu (Geraldton), PCYC supported a variety of community NAIDOC events, including the Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Services’ annual Amazing Race. Northam also played a key role in the community NAIDOC activities, assisting in organising the town’s major event that attracted over 500 attendees.

PCYC is proud to support NAIDOC activities to celebrate the rich cultural history of our First Nations people. We can’t wait to see what NAIDOC Week 2025 has in store!