Mirrabooka marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week
The event, Mirrabooka NAIDOC, supported by the City of Stirling, featured live music, dance performances, rides, sports and market stalls, all sharing the richness of First Nations cultures.
This year's NAIDOC Week theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, focused on the future and recognising an emerging generation of leaders empowered by the legacy of their elders and ancestors.
Nyoongar elder and City of Stirling resident Dulcie Donaldson, who delivered the welcome to country at the event, mentors emerging leaders in the local First Nations community.
'For me, being an elder, it's leaving a legacy behind, a positive one that our young ones can pick up and run with,' she said.
'It's role-modelling, showing the young people they can do positive things.' Marking 50 years of NAIDOC Week, thousands gathered in Mirrabooka last Thursday, July 10. Credit: Supplied
Ms Donaldson is also a member of the city's reconciliation action plan working group and the Ngalang Maya Wangkiny group.
She and her family have played an active role in Mirrabooka NAIDOC for several years.
Organised by the Mirrabooka NAIDOC committee, the event includes representation from the City of Stirling and 13 additional groups, including Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, where Ms Donaldson worked for more than three decades.
'I think these things have a very positive impact because we bring all nationalities and cultures together, especially here in Mirrabooka, where we've already got a very multicultural community,' Ms Donaldson said. Nyoongar elder Len Yarran conducts a smoking ceremony at Mirrabooka NAIDOC 2025. Credit: Supplied
Several awards were presented by the Mirrabooka NAIDOC committee to celebrate outstanding First Nations contributions to the community.
These included female elder of the year, awarded to Barbara McGillivray, and male elder of the year, given to Shane Garlett.
Community member of the year was presented to Annette Dickie, while the Jess Bairnsfather-Scott Young person of the year went to Jarnda Bina Councillor-Barns.
The service of the year: organisation honour was given to the Wungening Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making Program, while the individual award went to Delma Balchin.
A highlight of the event was a moving keynote speech by Nyoongar elder Len Yarran, who spoke about the values of contribution and commitment.
Among the other special guests were State Government ministers Amber-Jade Sanderson and Meredith Hammat, along with several Perth Glory players who joined shortly after training at their new base at Stirling Leisure – Mirrabooka. Meredith Hammat MLA, City of Stirling CEO Stevan Rodic and Nyoongar elder Len Yarran at Mirrabooka NAIDOC 2025. Credit: Supplied
City of Stirling chief executive Stevan Rodic said the city was proud to continue supporting Mirrabooka NAIDOC as it continues to support reconciliation while strengthening community relationships and opportunities.
'We continue to share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in our projects, including the ongoing upgrade of Mirrabooka Town Square and the upcoming construction of a yarning circle at the entrance to our administration centre,' Mr Rodic said.
'One of our next key steps is finalising our fourth reconciliation action plan, which has been developed in close collaboration with our community and will be considered by council in the coming weeks.'
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