Danielle Jarvis, Penrith Press
July 16, 2018 2:44pm
Hundreds of people filled Jamison Park for NAIDOC 2018 celebrations on Friday.
Families took advantage of the sunny day to enjoy the many festivities sprawled across the park’s grounds.
Children got to sit in the driver’s seat of a fire truck and work the hose while, NSW Police sent down a Pol. Air helicopter, mounted police, a trail bike officer and several vehicles for kids to explore.
Cobi Graham, 7, of South Penrith sits on top of officer Andrew Hayward's police trail bike at NAIDOC celebrations in Jamison Park, Penrith on Friday. Picture: Danielle Jarvis
Face painting, rock painting, traditional drums, rock climbing and live entertainment were among the highlights.
“Because of her, we can” was the theme and attendees reminisced on the importance of having strong women in their lives.
Performer Mi-Kaisha is of Aboriginal Tongan background and said this year’s event was close to her heart.
“I think Naidoc is the biggest day of our calendar,” she said.
“It’s a day for the whole community to come together to celebrate and this year it’s particularly special because we’re celebrating strong black women.
“I know that our whole community we’re standing on the backs of these women who went before us and who fought for us and who made us the women that we are today.”
The event ran from 10am to 4pm on what seemed to be the perfect sunny winter day.
Mi-Kaisha, with her sister Kiki (left), sang on stage at the NAIDOC event at Jamison Park in Penrith on Friday. Picture: Danielle Jarvis