It's NAIDOC Week and the 2020 theme is 'Always Was, Always Will Be', which celebrates Australia's ancient history, traditions and cultures which endure to this day.
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NAIDOC Week typically falls in July however, because of the coronavirus pandemic this year, it is being celebrated from Sunday, November 8 to Sunday, November 15.
Due to the current government guidelines and to protect the health and safety of Parkes community members, unfortunately Parkes Shire Council has not been able to host any major events or gatherings.
But the town is able to celebrate and recognise NAIDOC Week in a few different ways this year.
The Indigenous naming ceremony at the Parkes Observatory on Sunday kicked off NAIDOC Week for the shire, with the iconic Parkes Radio Telescope and two smaller telescopes each receiving a Wiradjuri name.
Meanwhile Peak Hill Preschool was successful in obtaining a federal government grant as part of a program to support organisations during NAIDOC Week.
Peak Hill Preschool has been conducting a range of activities throughout the week, including tastings of traditional foods such as emu and kangaroo meat.
The preschool purchased a badge-making machine with the grant funding to enable them to create their own badges with Aboriginal themes and drawings by the children.
On Friday, council will unveil the new Wiradjuri Cultural Garden at Bushman's Hill.
This project aims to increase community awareness of local Wiradjuri culture and history, and will showcase plants commonly used by Wiradjuri people in their day-to-day life for food, medicine, and other purposes.
"The design of the garden was overseen by a working group compromising local Wiradjuri residents and council staff passionate about raising the profile of the Wiradjuri history and culture," Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton said.
"We are very proud of the garden and especially proud that it will be officially opened in conjunction with NAIDOC Week."
Also on Friday, the new Parkes Library and Cultural Centre will be officially opened, showcasing the new expansive facility and integration of Wiradjuri language through signage and interpretation.
"The new Parkes Library and Cultural Centre facility offers the local community an innovative and modern expansion to deliver dynamic art and cultural and education spaces," Cr Newton said.
"To celebrate NAIDOC Week the Parkes Library has a dedicated display of a Wiradjuri collection and the weekly Storytime on Wednesday morning focused on Wiradjuri language books."
There are many other facilities and public artworks the community can explore, enjoy and learn about our Wiradjuri culture.
The Public Art Trail features artwork by renowned Parkes Wiradjuri artist Scott 'Sauce' Towney at locations in Parkes and Peak Hill.
Sauce's artworks also feature as part of the Rotary Peace Precinct at the base of Memorial Hill, a place for contemplation and reflection about world peace.
People can explore the five carved timber sculptures along the trail which are carved with Wiradjuri iconography to acknowledge the First Peoples and local history.
To find out more about these locations, visit www.vistiparkes.com.au
