Activities and Events

Hurstville City Council encourages the involvement of Aboriginal Australians in local community events and celebrations and works to increase awareness of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the wider community. Council hosts a range of events and activities, including:

NAIDOC Week

Council supports NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week by hosting a range of events for the community in July each year. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate the unique culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and encourages non-Indigenous Australians to learn about Aboriginal heritage.

Celebrations include talks by notable Indigenous Australians, art workshops, book readings, a flag raising ceremony, dance and music performances. 

National Reconciliation Week
 

National Reconciliation Week falls between 27 May and 3 June each year and is a time for the community of Hurstville City to reflect on what has been achieved and what is still to be done in the reconciliation process. Council organises a range of activities each year including the raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at the Civic Centre to demonstrate our commitment to the building of strong relationships with the Aboriginal community.

In 2007, Council unveiled a commemorative plaque adjacent to the Civic Centre in MacMahon Street, Hurstville in recognition of Indigenous Australians. The plaque acknowledges the traditional owners of Hurstville City as the Biddegal people and apologises for the loss and grief that past actions have caused.

In 2008, in support and acknowledgment of the Prime Minister’s apology to Indigenous people, Council invited primary and secondary schools to participate in 'The Apology' art and poetry competition, providing an opportunity for young people to express what this event meant to them.

Lime Kiln Bay Bush Walk
 

Council regularly invites the community to attend guided walking tours along Lime Kiln Bay, Oatley Park, which are lead by local Aboriginal guides from NSW National Parks. These popular walking tours promote understanding of Aboriginal culture, food and medicine and teach the community about the rich flora and fauna history of the area.

Hurstville Aboriginal Art Group (HAarts)
 

Another initiative of the Hurstville Aboriginal Advisory Committee was the Hurstville Aboriginal Art Group (HArts). Members of the group, who were from the local Aboriginal community, participated in regular painting workshops, which fostered artistic talent and provided a forum for new friendships.