Mayoral Column: NAIDOC celebrations in Singleton

Published on 27 June 2025

Singleton’s NAIDOC celebrations are always a highlight of the July school holidays and 2025 will be no different with the ever-popular Singleton NAIDOC Community Day returning to Singleton Showground on Wednesday 9 July from 10am – 2pm.

And this year the Singleton NAIDOC Committee is adding to the festivities with the first Pam Payimi - Wonnarua Art Exhibition opening at Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre on Friday 4 July at 6pm featuring the work of local Aboriginal artists, and the Wonnarua NAIDOC Football Gala Day at Pirtek Park on Sunday 13 July showcasing up-and-coming junior rugby league talent.

This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations from 6 July – 13 July, with the theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy recognising achievements of the past and the bright future ahead.

The place we now know as Singleton has been an important meeting place for people for thousands of years—and that’s why I can think of nowhere better for people to come together to learn about the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples in the spirit of a united community.

I’m looking forward to being part of a big crowd at the Singleton NAIDOC Community Day with another big program of activities including a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, Mini Corroboree, traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dances, Koorioke and bushtucker tasting.

And in a perfect school holidays outing, there’s also free family fun activities including jumping castles, face painting, balloons, a reptile show, free sausage sandwiches, icies and fairy floss, and more than 30 stalls showcasing local services and businesses.

It’s wonderful that more and more people and services are getting involved in Singleton’s NAIDOC events each year, and I acknowledge the generous support and contribution of Mach Energy ACDF, AGL, BHP and Glencore that make it possible.

To plan your NAIDOC Community Day outing and all your school holiday activities, head to the events section on Council’s website or the Singleton Hunter Valley Facebook page.

Cr Sue Moore
Mayor of Singleton