NAIDOC Ball a night for Albany youth to celebrate Noongar culture

Albany youth will celebrate the region’s rich Noongar culture under lights at a NAIDOC Ball this November.

Usually held in July, NAIDOC Week festivities were pushed back to November 8 to 15 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ball will be held at Centennial Stadium on November 14 by the City of Albany’s Youth Advisory Council with the Department of Communities and Rio Tinto.

City of Albany acting manager community development and engagement Rani Param said the event was open to all young people.

“The 2020 NAIDOC Ball isoffering local young people the chance to frock and suit up for an evening of inclusivity, social connection, and celebration of our Noongar community,” she said.

“The NAIDOC Ball is an inclusive event open to all young people with the aim to celebrate Noongar culture in line with NAIDOC week celebrations around the theme of ‘Always was, always will be’.”

This year’s theme recognises that Indigenous people have occupied and cared for Australia for more than 65,000 years, leaving their footprints on the land for “thousands of generations” before European settlement.

The City is calling on the community to donate frocks or suits that may be gathering dust to young people who will be encouraged to choose second-hand for the event.

“Everyone attending the ball is asked to wear a second-hand outfit where all donations will be displayed at workshops where attendees of the NAIDOC Ball are able to choose an outfit and have it altered as they require,” she said.

“Repurposing and seeking out second-hand donations will ultimately mean less waste and give the attendees the opportunity to dress up and feel special for the night at a minimal cost.”

To donate, contact Lesley Yates on 6820 3130 or lesley.yates@albany.wa.gov.au.