Due to the school holidays the celebrations were a week late, but didn’t detract from the activities organised over three days.

Celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee is celebrated not only in indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.

This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

The local event was developed and funded through a partnership between the Dungog Shire Community Centre youth worker Kylie Pratt and Dungog High School.

“The aim of the event was to acknowledge the indigenous custodians of our area and provide local indigenous and non-indigenous students with the opportunity to experience aspects of the local indigenous culture,” Ms Pratt said.

Rachel Stokes who runs the Aboriginal education support program at the high school said a special assembly was held on Wednesday.

“On Thursday we had Stephanie and Bill Callaghan from Buudja Marrung offer bush tucker catering and indigenous cultural education talks,” Mrs Stokes said.

“The children were shown and got to taste various bush tucker food and they also enjoyed a traditional lunch.

“There are 22 Aboriginal students at the school and they were able to invite one friend to come along on the day.

“Aboriginal students from St Joseph’s and Dungog Public schools were also invited on the day.”

Students also enjoyed and were able to join in with traditional Aboriginal music on Friday afternoon.