Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025
Each year in the first week of July, communities across Australia celebrate NAIDOC Week, recognising the history, achievements, and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors.
At Aspire, it is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn about First Nations cultures and histories. Read on to see how Aspire’s centres honoured this important week.
2025 marks the 50th year of NAIDOC celebrations, a powerful milestone.
Before the 1920s, Aboriginal rights groups boycotted Australia Day to protest the treatment of Indigenous Australians, but by the 1920s, they realised the broader public was largely unaware of these actions. Organisations like the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association in 1924 and the Australian Aborigines League in 1932 emerged to raise awareness.
On Australia Day 1938, the Day of Mourning gathered over a thousand protestors in Sydney, advocating for Aboriginal rights. Subsequent efforts to institutionalise this event led to annual observances known as Aborigines Day from 1940 to 1955. After this, major Aboriginal organisations, state and federal governments, supported the formation of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC).
It was then decided in 1975 that the event should cover a week, from the first to second Sunday in July. By 1991, awareness of Torres Strait Islander culture prompted the name change to the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).
The National NAIDOC Committee respectfully acknowledges the now defunct and inaccurate term 'Aborigines', whilst retaining the term in our title due to historic use by our Elders in establishing this week of commemoration in 1938. As of 1967, the ongoing registered title of the Committee became the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee.
Aspire’s centres celebrated this important day, honouring its significance to our First Nations peoples.
At Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten Baldivis in WA, Cyril from Milliyaan Aboriginal Services shared knowledge, told stories and enriched their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through his experiences. Many centre families also joined in on the event and brought enthusiasm and a great community feel. Cyril has a fantastic relationship with the centre, and visits monthly to teach the children about his culture and history.
Down at Aspire Cranbourne East, the centre celebrated in a number of ways. The children took part in the Sea of Fish community challenge in collaboration with Connecting the Dots. They then contributed their own decorated fish to a collective artwork promoting connection and community.
They also hosted a Didgeridoo Beats incursion by First Nations Incursions, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. It was a great opportunity for them to engage with Aboriginal music and culture in an interactive way.
Aspire Riverwalk, Werribee had a touching family connection for their NAIDOC Week event. As part of their family engagement initiative, the centre was honoured to invite one of their beautiful Aboriginal families, the Coopers, to share their culture, legacy, and connection to Country. Special guest Paige shared a write-up about her family history, read a meaningful story to the children and joined in some art activities. This experience deepened understanding of Aboriginal perspectives and reinforced the centre’s commitment to reconciliation with families.
Check out more of Aspire’s NAIDOC Week activities below.
