NAIDOC celebrations at Macksville District Hospital

A celebration of culture at Macksville

Jul 20, 2023

An amazing celebration of culture was held at Macksville District Hospital this week, as part of NAIDOC 2023 activities.

Local community members, staff and representatives from NSW Police and Macksville/Nambucca Woolworths came together to celebrate the important role our Elders play in our communities and families.

Uncle Martin Ballangarry set the festivities off with a cleansing and smoking ceremony, while Uncle Trevor Ballangarry welcomed everyone to country.

In line with this year’s theme ‘For Our Elders’, Aboriginal Health Workers organised for photographs of many Elders to be displayed in the foyer honouring their contributions to local cultural knowledge.

A morning tea was held with a highlight being a traditional damper, cooked by the Aboriginal Health Manager of the Coffs Clinical Network, Maxine Walker.

Three native trees, two Lilli Pillies and a Lemon Myrtle, where then planted in the newly established garden which is being built as part of community project at the back of the hospital.

Later in the morning, teams battled it out in the Koori Cook Off.

A very big shout out to staff and Aboriginal Health Workers, Breanna Greenup, Mila Rokodakunivosa, Melinda Walker, Ruben Browne and Maxine Walker for organising the day.

Please click on the image below to view a gallery of photos