In its third year, the Port Stephens NAIDOC Touch Football Championship will cement itself as one of the highlights of NAIDOC Week.
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The event involves mens and mixed teams from the police and emergency services, Port Stephens Council, RAAF and Worimi.
Worimi man Brooke Roach said the event’s great success had been the relationships formed between the teams and their players.
“It has helped close the gap with the different oragnisations,” he said.
“It’s building relationships away from job descriptions – it’s building relationships with people not because it’s your job but because you want to.”
Port Stephens Council senior human resources advisor Cindy Turner said she had played since the inception.
“It can be very competitive at times but it’s a friendly event at its heart,” she said.
Mrs Turner said when the police and emergency services are called out on a job, the other teams will help them make up the numbers on the field.
“There’s a real message of unity here,” she said.
“It’s a about helping each other out and most of all, having a good day.”
The mens and mixed teams face off on Thursday July 6 at Lakeside Sporting Fields.
“We’re hoping to get a few players from the RAAF onto our team this year,” Mr Roach said.
“It’s a great way to come together and they [indigenous RAAF personnel] get to meet a few people from country that way.”
NAIDOC this year runs from July 2 to 9.
It begins with a march through Raymond Terrace at 9am on Monday July 3 via Hunter, William and Sturgeon street to Port Stephens Council for a flag raising ceremony at 10am and free morning tea at 10.15am.
The Nelson Bay march leaves Nelson Bay Bowling Club at 9.30am Wednesday July 5 and goes to Apex Park via Stockton Street.
Tomaree and Raymond Terrace libraries will also host a series of NAIDOC themed events.
Tomaree Library will host NAIDOC Storytime on Tuesday July 4 from 10.30am to 11.15am. It’s suitable for children two and over and cost $1.40 per child.
Raymond Terrace Library will hold a free family movie afternoon on Wednesday July 5 from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Black Screen: A selection of short indigenous films is rated PG and G.
Another free film session will be hold at Tomaree Library on Thursday July 6 from 5pm to 6.30pm when the film Bran Nue Dae (PG) is to be screened.
Places are limited for all Library events. So bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Tomaree Library on 02 4982 0670 or Raymond Terrace Library on 02 4980 0111.
The final event scheduled for NAIDOC week is at the Murrook Cultural Centre, Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown, on Friday July 7.
NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The week is celebrated not just in the Indigenous communities but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces.
Activities are organised through the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
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Port Stephens NAIDOC Week schedule at a glance:
Monday, July 3
Raymond Terrace March and Flag Raising
8.30am: Gather at Raymond Terrace Cenotaph (cnr Port Stephens St and Jacaranda Av)
9.00am: March via Hunter, William & Sturgeon Street to Port Stephens Council
10am: Flag Raising and speeches - Port Stephens Council Forecourt (116 Adelaide Street, Raymond Terrace)
10.15am: Free morning tea
Tuesday, July 4
NAIDOC Storytime
10.30am-11.15am: Tomaree Library - suitable for ages 2 and above, cost $1.40 per child.
Wednesday, July 5
Nelson Bay March and Community BBQ
9am: Gather Nelson Bay Bowling Club car park (cnr Dowling and Stockton Street)
9.30am: March to Apex Park via Stockton Street
10am: Laying of wreath and free BBQ at Apex Park, Nelson Bay
Free Family Movie Afternoon
2.30pm-3.30pm: Black Screen: a selection of short indigenous films (PG and G rated) at Raymond Terrace Library.
Thursday, July 6
Touch Football Tournament
8am-3.30pm: Friendly competition between Worimi Community, Port Stephens Council, RAAF and NSW Police/Emergency Services at Lakeside Oval, Raymond Terrace
NAIDOC Storytime
10.30am-11.15am: Raymond Terrace Library, suitable for ages 2 and above, cost $1.40 per child.
Free Family Movie Night
5pm-6.30pm: Bran Nue Dae (PG), Tomaree Library, Free.
Friday, July 7
Family Fun Day
10am-2pm: Murrook Cultural Centre, Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown