A message from the Mayor: Celebrate NAIDOC Week

Published on 04 July 2022

The NAIDOC Week family fun day 2019

Sunday marked the start of a very important week in celebrating the history, culture and accomplishments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our First Nations people have a culture and history in Australia that goes back tens of thousands of years. Today, we stand on Thunggutti/Dunghutti country in the knowledge that these remarkable Australians have shown strength, patience and resilience over the centuries.

NAIDOC Week 2022 calls on Australia to “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” for systemic change and to keep rallying around our Shire Elders and communities.

I encourage you all to attend one of the many NAIDOC Week events taking place across the Shire, which the Kempsey NAIDOC committee have worked hard to put together. You can find out about these at 2022 NAIDOC Week events

Kempsey Library's Bush Tucker Garden

Our rich local Aboriginal history means we can all learn from those who know our native flora and fauna like no other, the Thunggutti/Dunghutti people.

On Thursday 30 June, Council launched Kempsey Library’s Bush Tucker Garden at a special event that attracted around 100 people. This wonderful addition to our recently renovated library will build on existing local knowledge to benefit us all.

Local Jamie Locke from the Gone Native nursery led the event, planting bush tucker such as feather leafed banksia, lomandra and native sarsaparilla. Jason and Roxanne Ridgeway of Artisan Kitchen provide beautiful catering of bush tucker flavoured food.

30,688 residents in our growing and diverse Shire

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released their first round of data from the 2021 Census last week, with our population more than 30,000 for the first time. Some notable facts:

  • Our population of 30,688 has increased by almost 2,000 since 2016
  • 12.9% of our population identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • 7.83% of residents were born overseas
  • More than 1 in 3 residents are living with a long-term health condition; and
  • 1 in 10 people say they need assistance due to health or age-related conditions.

There is a run down of the first round of data on Council’s website if you would like to know more. The next round of data will be released in October 2022.

Thank you,

Mayor Leo Hauville

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