Celebrating NAIDOC at Taronga Zoo

We value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963NAIDOC 2013 NAIDOC Week is held annually across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.The 2013 theme for NAIDOC week celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Yirrkala Bark petitions to the Federal Parliament.Taronga Zoo celebrates NAIDOC week for three weeks every year, providing an opportunity for visitors to discover more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their culture and their connections to animals.School Holiday ActivitiesBetween Monday 24th June and Sunday 14th July come along and enjoy our Indigenous themed QBE Free Flight Bird Show. For some school holiday activities you can join our Indigenous hosts to learn how to weave; have your face painted, listen to a Dreaming Story and learn about the Yirrkala Bark Petitions and how they helped to shape the nation’s acknowledgment of Aboriginal people and their land rights.Time:10.30am - 2.30pm dailyWhere:Map & Visit Planner Activities:Learn how to weaveHave your facepaintedListen to a dreaming storyTake a walk through our sculptural artworks in the Main Entry plaza celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders culture and connections to land:A canoe, a fishing line and a fish – interpreting Cammeraigal saltwater cultureA Red-necked Wallaby and a Cammeraigal blade – acknowledging traditional connections to Country.A goanna, angophora leaves and Regent Honeyeaters – reinforcing the connections between caring for Country and Taronga’s wildlife conservation.A mother and child Jabiru, or Black-necked Stork.A Tasmanian Devil modelled on an original creation made of seaweed.In addition to NAIDOC celebrations, there’s a great way for everyone to learn more about indigenous culture on Nura Diya, Taronga’s Aboriginal Discovery Tour, where visitors can discover more about the world’s oldest living culture as it evolves into the future.For more information about celebrations or where you can get involvedVisit the official NAIDOC websiteNura Diya – Taronga’s Aboriginal Discovery Tour Set on traditional Cammeraigal country, Taronga Zoo has many amazing Aboriginal stories to tell. Nura Diya, meaning “this country or camp”, takes you on a journey through Taronga as you hear stories of Australian wildlife told through the perspective of an Aboriginal guide, with tales of their shared history with the animals and land.