NAIDOC Week is important for all Australians

I hope everyone has had the chance to join in activities planned right across Australia in celebration of NAIDOC Week. I had the pleasure of attending a film evening here at CQUniversity Rockhampton on Tuesday night (hosted by our Office of Indigenous Engagement).

Even though NAIDOC Week is held to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, it is something that all Australians can observe and participate in. There are hundreds of events and activities planned right across the Country that aim to raise awareness of Indigenous issues and culture. So if you didn’t get a chance to join in this year make sure you do in 2014.

As much as NAIDOC Week provides us with a chance to reflect on our nation’s cultural and social history, it also allows us to look to the future. Importantly it reminds all Australians of the different ways that we can all do something to help close the gap and achieve equality.

…In saying that these are issues we should all be committed to everyday of the year. I’m really proud to be at the helm of a university that is committed to these issues and is working further towards improving participation in higher education and education quality for Indigenous Australians.

One of the things I most look forward to in my job is being able to work more closely with Bronwyn Fredericks and our Office of Indigenous Engagement to achieve more great results in this area and expand on what we have already achieved.  

CQUniversity's Professor Brownwyn Fredericks (Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and BMA Chair Indigenous Engagement) and the first Indigenous Chair of an Australian University Academic Board.