Blacktown City Council - Media Release - NAIDOC Celebration Honours Indigenous Leaders

MEDIA RELEASE

12 July 2018

Over a thousand people gathered in Blacktown for the NAIDOC Family Day which saw leaders within the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders acknowledged for their work in the community.

Blacktown City Council presented the 2018 Blacktown Aboriginal Citizen of the Year award to Uncle Danny Eastwood, and the 2018 Blacktown Aboriginal Organisation of the Year Award to the Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said the opportunity to acknowledge and recognise these leaders is a testament to their hard work within the community.

“NAIDOC week has been, and will always be, a very important event for the entire Blacktown community,” Mayor Bali said.

“Danny is a self-taught, award winning and accomplished visual artist,” Mayor Bali said.

“He is a role model, mentor and teacher whose work touches the lives of many.

“Danny is currently teaching in a number of schools in Blacktown City and conducts art classes at three corrections facilities.

“The Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation is a strong example of leading women within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“Founded by five Aboriginal elders from Western Sydney, the Corporation has created a safe and healing environment for the Indigenous community to seek recovery from post traumas, regain self-esteem and work toward their full potential.

“It was an honour to award the Indigenous leaders in our community and I thank everyone who attended the celebration held at Blacktown Showground on Tuesday.”