News

Experiencing bush tucker, weaving and Indigenous art were all part of a range of culturally rich activities celebrating NAIDOC Week at the NSW SES State Headquarters in Wollongong today. 

As part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, the Service presented its inaugural NAIDOC Week awards and hosted a range of traditional workshops that celebrated the diverse cultures of the organisation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

The NSW SES NAIDOC Awards were presented to: 

NSW SES Cultural Community Connection and Engagement Award (recognises the demonstrated excellence of an individual who has helped make a difference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities).

• Winner Member Category - Marley Blair - Community Capability Officer
• Winner Community Category - Vic Chapman - Illawarra NSW
• Deadly Acknowledgement - Tim Miller - Unit Commander Dungog Unit

NSW SES NAIDOC Youth Award (recognises young people who are inspirational role models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community).

• Winner - Emily Forbes - Volunteer Walgett Unit

NSW SES NAIDOC Individual Award (the demonstrated excellence of an individual who has helped make a difference to individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or more broadly, including nationally).

• Winner - Gregg Dodds - Unit Commander Forster Pacific Palms
• Deadly Acknowledgement - Carolyn Dobson - Local Commander Camden Haven

NSW SES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year 2024 - Staff - Marley Blair

NSW SES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year 2024 - Volunteer - Gregg Dodd

The workshops included several traditional activities and a feast of Indigenous bush tucker. Activities included Waybarra (weaving), Gulaman (clay coolamon) and Bundadhaany (art) and were run by family-owned business, Yaali Collective.

NSW SES members also had the chance to get their hands on specially created lanyards featuring the artwork ‘Journey after the Storm’ from award-winning Aboriginal artist, Lani Balzan.

In painting the artwork, which is displayed on several NSW SES fleet and buildings, she drew inspiration from the importance of community. Lani depicted a stormy background to represent the rain and unpredictable weather conditions NSW SES members respond to.

The Service also hosted its first member consultation session to discuss the development of its NSW SES Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.

These sessions are facilitated by the Service’s Indigenous engagement partner, Stonecrab, gathering insights from a diverse range of individuals within the agency to ensure that the RAP has meaningful impact on the organisation’s journey of reconciliation.

NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.

The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with a fire symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NSW SES continues to harness the diverse knowledge, skills and lived experience that every member brings to the Service and welcomes the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in keeping communities safe from storms, floods and tsunamis.

You can check out some of the photos from the celebration HERE