NAIDOC Week is more than a celebration—it’s an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect.

On this week’s episode of Building Stronger Communities, we looked beyond the events and performances to explore the history, resilience and continuing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Together, we reflected on this year’s official NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly,” recognising five decades of celebrating culture, leadership and community.

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🎙️ A Young Voice: Learning Through Education

One of the highlights of the program was welcoming my eldest granddaughter, Sienna Brown, who joined us to share her experience of studying Aboriginal Studies as a Year 10 elective.

Our conversation explored:

• 🌱 Learning about Aboriginal heritage.
• 📚 The value of Aboriginal Studies in schools.
• 🤝 Respect and understanding.
• 🖤 Identity and belonging.
• 💬 Why asking questions is an important part of learning.

One of the most meaningful moments came from a conversation with my younger granddaughter, who asked:

“Why do people think you can’t be Aboriginal if you have fair skin?”

Children don’t begin with prejudice—they begin with curiosity. It’s our responsibility to answer those questions with honesty, respect and understanding.

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🏆 Celebrating Local Community Leaders

We also recognised the recipients of the 2026 Blacktown City NAIDOC Awards, celebrating individuals whose leadership and service continue to strengthen our community.

Congratulations to:

🏆 Aunty Cynthia Morrison
Blacktown City NAIDOC Citizen of the Year

🏆 Sabina Carr Drennan
Blacktown City NAIDOC Innovation Award

Along with all of this year’s finalists, thank you for your dedication to culture, community and creating positive change.

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🖤💛❤️ Walking Together – Stories Beneath Our Feet

Long before roads, railways and housing estates, the lands we now know as Blacktown, Rooty Hill, Mount Druitt, Doonside, Prospect and Seven Hills were, and remain, Dharug Country. For thousands of generations, the Dharug people cared for the land, waterways and one another, passing knowledge through storytelling and lived experience.

We highlighted the significance of Prospect Hill, one of Western Sydney’s most important historical landmarks. It was a place of early contact between Aboriginal people and European settlers and remains a powerful symbol of resilience and shared history.

Our message was simple: understanding the history of the places we live helps us appreciate not only Australia’s past but also the enduring cultures that continue to shape our communities today. Every suburb has a story, and by learning those stories, we build greater respect, stronger connections and more inclusive communities

🧠 Introducing Brain Energy

This episode also marked the launch of an exciting new weekly segment.

I’m delighted to welcome Luke Evans from Emotive Work to the Building Stronger Communities family.

Each week, Luke will present Brain Energy, exploring practical ways to strengthen resilience, improve wellbeing and better understand ourselves and the people around us.

Our first conversation centred on one simple but powerful idea:

Belonging matters.

Feeling connected—to family, culture, community and purpose—is one of the strongest protective factors for our mental wellbeing.

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📖 Knowledge is Power

During this week’s Knowledge is Power segment, we looked back at the history of NAIDOC.

From the 1938 Day of Mourning to today’s nationwide celebrations, we explored how a movement for recognition and justice has grown into one of Australia’s most important opportunities to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements.

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🌿 Community Champion

This week’s Community Champion honoured Maria Lock, a proud Darug woman whose story is closely connected to Western Sydney.

Maria became one of the first Aboriginal women to legally own land under the colonial system. Her story is one of resilience, determination and courage, reminding us that Aboriginal people have helped shape Australia’s history in ways many of us were never taught at school.

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🌳 Switch Off & Connect

Our weekly challenge was inspired by one of the strongest messages of NAIDOC Week:

Connect with Country.

Whether it’s a local park, a walking track or simply sitting quietly beneath a tree, spending time outdoors helps us reconnect—not only with nature, but with ourselves and the communities we share.

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❤️ A Final Reflection

As NAIDOC Week comes to a close, the celebrations may end, but the learning doesn’t.

Building stronger communities isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to listen, to learn from one another, and to recognise that every person’s story adds to the rich tapestry of our shared community.

Thank you for joining us on this journey.

Next Week’s Episode Saturday 25 July 2026

🌱 From Surviving to Thriving: How Support Creates Opportunity

Theme Overview

Every person deserves the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.

For many individuals and families across Western Sydney, the difference between simply getting through the day and building a brighter future often comes down to one thing: support. Whether it’s a mentor, community organisation, family member, school, workplace, volunteer group, or government program, the right support at the right time can change lives.

This episode explores how practical support, connection, and encouragement help people move beyond challenges and create opportunities for education, employment, wellbeing, and community participation.

We’ll hear stories of resilience, discuss programs making a difference, and explore how communities can create pathways that help people reach their potential.

Until next week…

Because everyone has a place, and every story matters.