School authorities have been urged not to let Aboriginal children fall through the cracks at the launch of annual NAIDOC Week celebrations in Dubbo After a peaceful march along Macquarie Street, about 100 community members gathered at the rotunda on Monday to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal people and hear Gamilaroi community leader Peter Gibbs speak. "If you're in education please do not let our kids spend one hour outside of a classroom," Mr Gibbs urged. "Don't stand back and let our kids get pushed out onto the sporting field. Education is the key. "If we're letting our kids spend a day outside of a classroom, we're gonna find them in another place where they're gonna spend months and years." READ ALSO: Rugby club passes big money to Dubbo charity groups Mr Gibbs encouraged young people to be inspired by the lives of leaders like respected Aboriginal rights campaigners William Ferguson and Marty Gordon. "Next year we need Aboriginal people to stand up for Dubbo Regional Council," Mr Gibbs said. "We need you to put your foot forward. Don't stand back and wait for other people to do this, we need to take this opportunity ourselves." READ ALSO: Dubbo drivers could be snapped by phone detection cameras Aboriginal young people should not underestimate the potential they have to make a difference in the world, Mr Gibbs said. "Think about what it might mean if you are the first black Prime Minister," he said. READ ALSO: From homicides to heartache: Former detective, Dubbo dad speak out The Dubbo Koori Interagency Network (DKIN) helped organise the launch event, which will be followed by a range of other NAIDOC Week celebrations including an Indigenous Business Trade Fair on Wednesday and rugby league knock out on Saturday.
ACKNOWLEDGING CULTURE: Buninyong Preschool staff and potential future leaders of our community took part in Dubbo's NAIDOC Week launch event. Photo: RYAN YOUNG
School authorities have been urged not to let Aboriginal children fall through the cracks at the launch of annual NAIDOC Week celebrations in Dubbo
After a peaceful march along Macquarie Street, about 100 community members gathered at the rotunda on Monday to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal people and hear Gamilaroi community leader Peter Gibbs speak.
Aboriginal residents urged to run for Dubbo council in 2020
WORKING TOGETHER: DKIN members Dawn Towney, Grace Toomey, Aunty Marg Walker, Shane Riley, John Hausia and Lionel Wood.
JOINING THE COMMUNITY: Tori Mines and Melissa Shennan.
LIVE BETTER TEAM: Jena Glover and Lisa Mcewen.
MARKING NAIDOC WEEK: Haylee Lepaio with Joan and Joe Clarke and Rebekah Evans.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: Ken Clark and Dave Dodd at the NAIDOC Week launch.
CONNECTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Libby Beasley, Iris Doyle and Barry Coe.
CELEBRATING CULTURE: Wanita Gibbs, Anum Waqas and Daniel Waqas.
YUM: The 2019 NAIDOC Week launch cake.
WELCOMING: Aunty Marg Walker welcomes the crowd.
INSPIRING SPEECH: Peter Gibbs speaks.
LAUNCHING EVENT: Uncle Ray Peckham, Aunty Marg Walker and Peter Gibbs.
OPPORTUNITY HUB TEAM: Katherine Milgate, Brooke Mallison and Jason Hill.
Mr Gibbs encouraged young people to be inspired by the lives of leaders like respected Aboriginal rights campaigners William Ferguson and Marty Gordon.
Aboriginal residents urged to run for Dubbo council in 2020
The Dubbo Koori Interagency Network (DKIN) helped organise the launch event, which will be followed by a range of other NAIDOC Week celebrations including an Indigenous Business Trade Fair on Wednesday and rugby league knock out on Saturday.
