Wednesday 6th July
ELDERS LUNCHEON AND QUIZ NIGHT

The Elders Luncheon was hosted by Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, and the NAIDOC Committee. THE venue was held at FWASCI, and catered by Anna Tombas, Bills Pizza and Pasta. Many elders had attended the luncheon this year, and were enjoyed by many. A photo display was provided from Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation; the Far West Language Centre had contributed a video display of old videos from the Lutheran Archives involving old Koonibba Mission. During lunch the children from Ngura Yadurirn Children’s Centre preformed songs during the Elders luncheon. Soft music was played during the whole event, which made the atmosphere relaxing and enjoyable.

Thursday  7th July
CHILDREN’S DRESS FANCY/ BLUE LIGHT DISCO

A Children’s Fancy Dress was held at the Ceduna Memorial Hall which was hosted by SAPOL-Blue Light, Save the Children and Ceduna Family Violence Legal Services with support provided by Ngura Yadurirn Children’s Centre and Red Cross.

The age groups targeted children aged between 0-11 years and 0-5 year olds with a range of games and activities organised by Save the Children and Ngura Yadurirn Children’s Centre.

The older children aged between 5years and 11years old were also involved in more games and activities with a Blue light Disco provided as entertainment from 6:30pm. A sausage sizzle was provided, with a range of cakes and donuts plus drinks. More children attended this year event than last year and the turnout was fantastic. All the children looked amazing and many prizes were won throughout the day and evening.

Friday 8th July
YOUTH BALL

The Youth Ball was well attended this year with over 79 youth attending the ball.

A formal setting with a 3 course meal was provided this year’s theme incorporating the colours of Australia with warm reds, warm yellows, yellow ochre, black and a touch of blue and white, with native table settings infused with locally made drift wood boxes.

The evening consisted of awards, a professional photographer, with special guest speakers MC Joshua Warrior, Community Constable Swayne Ackland, and Rap/Jazz artist Lady Lash formally known as Crystal Clyne ne Mastrosavas. All three speakers are local and gave great motivational speeches.

Lady Lash performed a set of rap music, and DJ Swayne Ackland kept the night entertained with popular music. Youth who attended the Ball had stated it was the best evening held so far.

This event was hosted by Ceduna Youth Hub, Ceduna Area School, Crossways Lutheran School, and the NAIDOC Committee.

Saturday 9th July
ADULT BALL

Well over 90 community members attended the Ball this year with the evening comprising of a 3 course meal, awards, speeches, live music from International artist Glenn Skuthorpe and Band, Nathan May, Lady Lash and DJ Swayne Ackland.

MC Joshua Warrior also did a comedy act, and photographer Colleen Strangways Nharla Photography took professional photos throughout the night. The theme was conducted in accordance to the Youth Ball. Bar catering was run by Ceduna Foreshore Hotel and local professional security guards were engaged to ensure that a good time was had by all. This event was hosted by the NAIDOC Committee.

Throughout the week, the Far West Language Centre and Ceduna Aboriginal Arts &Cultural Centre held displays of local art, language, historical photo exhibition as well as videos highlighted in the foyer at the Ceduna Memorial Hall. This arrangement was a huge success with the general public during NAIDOC week. The efforts contributed by the Art and Language Centre were fantastic and well conducted.

Ceduna NAIDOC has a Facebook page, which became a huge success this year. Photos were uploaded for all to see, and events were updated daily. The statistics posted on Facebook on our NAIDOC Celebrations were very high for 2016. Over 200,000 Post engagements were recorded Australia wide and also viewed overseas. These figures prove that Ceduna NAIDOC week is well observed and very popular throughout the country, and especially South Australia.

CAC wishes to acknowledge NAIDOC sponsors: Prime Minister and Cabinet, Far West Coast Investments Pty Ltd, Rex Airlines, BP Australia, Iluka Resources, Families SA, Ceduna District Council, Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel, Housing SA, Ceduna Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Complete Personnel, Aboriginal Family Support Services, Ceduna Meat Services, Ceduna Foodland, CAC Sports & Recreation, Ceduna Aboriginal Arts & Cultural Centre, Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna Youth Hub, Ceduna Golf Club, Ceduna Sports and Outdoor Centre, Totally Board, Far West Aboriginal Sporting Complex, Ceduna Homescene.

NAIDOC 2016 hosts: 2016 NAIDOC Committee, Koonibba Community Aboriginal Council, Centacare Catholic Family Services, Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna Youth Hub, Crossways Lutheran School, Ceduna Area School, SAPOL, Save the Children, Red Cross, Aboriginal Drug Alcohol Centre, Ceduna Family Violence Legal Services Aboriginal Corporation, Ceduna Arts and Cultural Centre, Far West Language Centre.

A special acknowledgement to the 2016 NAIDOC Committee for their exceptional efforts in organising NAIDOC week 2016; Wyarta Miller, Ruby Saunders, Tanyta Haseldine, Lynette Ackland, Dionne Haynes, Zoe Bourne, Peter Jericho, Tracey Cox, Michelle Naylon, Julie Cox and Patrick Sharpe.