On Thursday 10 July 2025, over 2,000 people gathered at Whalan Reserve to celebrate NAIDOC Week under the theme “Next Generation – Strength, Vision, Legacy.” What began years ago as a local NAIDOC celebration hosted by Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation at Holy Family Parish, Emerton, has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the community calendar.
With numbers increasing each year, and following a suggestion from Blacktown City Council, this year’s event trialled a new location at Whalan Reserve to better accommodate the growing crowd.
This year’s event was a true community celebration – supported by the community, for the community. Hosted by Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation and Holy Family Parish, in collaboration with Blacktown City Council, Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, and the Diocese of Parramatta, the day brought together people from all walks of life to celebrate culture, build relationships, and share resources.
James Atanasious (left) Peace, Justice, and Ecology Facilitator in the Diocese of Parramatta with the Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains team. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
The vision behind the event was clear: bringing community together, building connections, and creating space for support, healing, and belonging. More than 60 stallholders representing local organisations and agencies – including NGROO Education, Yarning Crescent, GWAHS, SRAC, Keyton, Fulton Hogan, NSW Health, and Mt Druitt Police – offered information, services, and interactive experiences for families. In total, around 80 organisations, including many Aboriginal-led services, contributed to the day’s success.
Special guests included Mayor Brad Bunting of Blacktown City Council, NSW Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali MP, and other local politicians, who joined the community in celebrating strength, resilience, and shared vision.
From free rides, entertainment, and footy games to sausage sizzles, popcorn, snow cones, ice cream, and corn on the cob—the day was filled with joy, culture, and a deep sense of unity that captured the heart of NAIDOC’s purpose and spirit.
Mayor Brad Bunting of Blacktown City Council. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Beats, bites and belonging
Many stalls circled the reserve, including a combined stall from the Diocese of Parramatta and its social welfare agency Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, adjacent to the Jarara Cultural Centre of Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Together, the teams offered a warm and welcoming presence filled with colour, creativity and opportunities for cultural connection.
Other stalls included NSW emergency and health services, alongside community groups, small businesses, and faith organisations.
For members of the Diocese’s Mission Enhancement Team, who supported the Diocesan stall and the main stage program, getting involved on the day was all about being present, standing in solidarity and celebrating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Western Sydney.
Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Jarara builds a legacy
Aunty Julie Waddell, Lead of Jarara – the cultural team supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Catholic schools in the Parramatta Diocese – said the event was more than just a school excursion for the students attending. It was a meaningful opportunity to give back in the spirit of cultural reciprocity.
The students helped run the Jarara stall, inviting attendees to learn about Darug dreaming stories through emu (Darug word: “Mariong”) feather necklaces and scratch art, embodying the connection between culture, community and education.
“With this year’s theme about the next generation and the importance of that, this is critical for our role within Catholic Schools Parramatta. It’s about empowering our young people,” Julie said.
Aunty Julie described the work of the Jarara team as a relay race.
Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“Our senior educators teach the young ones, and the young ones reciprocate by teaching us. And then we hand the baton to the younger ones.”
One of those baton-holders is Cody, a young cultural officer with Jarara. A few years ago, he was a student at Bede Polding College. Now, he’s walking alongside the next generation of students, just as his mentors did for him.
“I’m learning new things about myself and about culture every day is just something that I’m truly grateful for,” he said.
Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Yarning with the Aunties at Catholic Care
At the Catholic Care stall, Aunties Rhonda and Neroli were delighted to share their art and invite children passing by to have a go at painting art themselves.
For Aunty Rhonda, a Bundjalung Elder and Catholic Care volunteer who runs the Dirrangun women’s art group in Emerton – a Bundjalung word meaning “Spirit Woman” – the event was about people, stories, and connection.
Her artwork, which featured on Catholic Care bookmarks handed out at the event, was a visual reminder of how culture is kept alive – through shared stories.
Aunties Neroli and Rhonda (L-R). Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
“NAIDOC, it doesn’t matter where it is, where it’s at, but that day is special for everybody,” she said.
“I see a lot of the young ones now, children are interested in this,” she said. “And the music is a great thing. You got to have music at NAIDOC, yeah? And the food.”
Catholic Care staff and volunteers handed out native seeded cards for planting – a simple gesture that invited people to care for Country in a small but meaningful way.
Community engagement coordinators James Abela from Emerton and Lisa Macher from Springwood and Mamre House & Farm in Orchard Hills spoke with locals about services available – and those yet to come.
“Watch this space,” Lisa said.
This year’s NAIDOC event was more than a celebration – it was a continuation of First Nations strength, vision and legacy.
Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
NAIDOC events in the Diocese are underpinned by the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priority of Community, as the Diocese strives to be a humble, healing, and listening Church. For First Nations support, visit Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
Special thanks to the community, supporters and organisers for making this year’s NAIDOC event one of the biggest and most memorable ever.
View the event photos on Flickr.
