General News
16 July, 2026
50 ‘deadly years’ of NAIDOC
FOR those early birds who like to pick up their Cairns Local News first thing on the day of issue, you’ll be pleased to know that there is still time to get along and enjoy the colourful NAIDOC street parade taking place along Front Street in Mossman at 11am today (16 July).
This year’s official NAIDOC week dates ran from 5-12 July, but as is usually the case, the Douglas Shire celebrations have extended into the following week, in order to allow schools and their students to be fully involved after the school holidays
Across Australia, ‘50 years of deadly’ has been the theme for this year’s celebrations, acknowledging five decades, where NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices of our communities.
50 years of deadly marks a milestone and is a tribute to the people who built this movement, the Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.
NAIDOC is believed to be more than a week, acting as a platform, a protest, a celebration and a statement of survival. Organisers countrywide also believe it is about the future, the next 50 years and beyond.
Over the last few days, as part of the whole event, locals have enjoyed the Mossman Gorge Gateway Markets, which included Yalanji Arts and other items that local First Nation peoples had locally made. The unique art and gifts were on display for everyone to appreciate and available for sale for those wanting their own traditional piece of Far North Queensland culture. One key event was the annual Elders lunch, held at the Mossman Shire Hall, with a traditional kurma (ground oven) and cultural entertainment.
With the fun day as a finale to the celebrations, I’ll certainly be one of many that line Front Steet, in Mossman, to enjoy the street parade.
As with previous years, the parade will start from the main Douglas Shire Council offices in Front Street and head towards George Davis Park (Bubu Kinkari) where a family fun day will take place for the whole community from around midday.
Mossman Support Services youth development coordinator Brody Andrews believes that, apart from the family entertainment available at the fun day, the event is a vital aspect of the annual celebrations.
“NAIDOC in the Park is an important opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and recognise the strength, history and contributions of First Nations people in our region,” Mr Andrews said.
“This year’s theme, ‘50 years of deadly’, recognises five decades of NAIDOC Week celebrations and the people who have worked to create change, strengthen culture and build a better future for the generations that follow,” he said. Mayor Lisa Scomazzon has also been enjoying the NAIDOC week celebrations.
“Every year NAIDOC is a big celebration for our Shire and the parade is a great opportunity for local students to get together and have a really enjoyable time heading down Front Street towards the park,” she said.
Overall, the week has been a successful and inspiring event and with the Douglas Shire Show weekend to come, one can certainly say it has been a fun time.
I think I need a breather, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
