Acknowledging NAIDOC Week at Kubirri Aged Care Centre

“We’re continuously learning every day and being a part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations is just so important,” says Lifestyle Coordinator, Maria, of Kubirri Aged Care Centre (“Kubirri”). Kubirri, situated Mossman, Far North Queensland, is home to both residents and staff from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, so NAIDOC Week is a significant calendar event.  

Care Service Employee, Nancy, who forms part of this community, notes that NAIDOC Week is a significant calendar event for herself to facilitate connection to community and culture for the residents she cares for. “I help with taking residents to community activities, including the Elder’s Luncheon and bus parade,” she says. “Sometimes my presence helps reassure and encourage participation among Indigenous residents, who are also family to me.”  

When reflecting on the significance of the day, Nancy highlights that it is important for both staff and residents alike. “I share the same culture with most of Indigenous residents at Kubirri,” she explains. “They are part of my family too. NAIDOC Week is important to acknowledge our culture and respect our elders, which we do every day.”  

At the Centre, on-site NAIDOC Week activities will be facilitated by the Lifestyle team. “We’re going to have our own activity here, which the residents like to do, which is making damper bread, like they have done in years past, as well as traditional painting,” says Maria. “We’re going to try and organise entertainment as well. One of the resident’s family members is really involved in the community and with NAIDOC Week. She will help us organise entertainment from people in the community, such as dancing and playing the didgeridoo.”  

Equally important for residents at Kubirri, is the Centre’s engagement in the local community. “We’re in the process of booking an Elders Lunch with lunch for the Elders at the community and the young people serve their Elders,” Maria explains. “It’s an important part of Aboriginal culture, to come together, and for the young people to serve their Elders.”  

As in years prior, the Centre’s bus is also decorated by staff, with the assistance of residents, for participation in the community float. “We liaise with the community to register the bus for the parade and we’re going to decorate the bus,” Maria states. “We will see if residents want to help us decorate it with certain colours.” 

When reflecting on the significance of NAIDOC Week, Maria notes it not just brings together residents, but the whole local community. “It’s a very, very big celebration here,” she says. “It’s very exciting. It’s so good to see the rich culture in the area because it’s a very tight community and almost everyone knows everybody here. Just being able to come together and celebrate that; it’s important. It’s not just important for Indigenous culture, but for everyone here, because we’re living on Indigenous land and seeing them celebrate – it’s just so good to be a part of it.”