NAIDOC Family Fun Day brings culture and connection to the Hills

Hundreds of people gathered at Mount Barker’s Laratinga Pavilion on Saturday 12 July for a vibrant and heartfelt NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day that brought culture, creativity and connection to the heart of the Hills.

Around 300 community members came together to enjoy a day filled with music, art, storytelling and celebration, with a rich program of activities and performances honouring the culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The event featured market stalls, cultural workshops, food, and a range of family-friendly activities including face painting and kids’ art workshops. Visitors were treated to powerful performances by local artists including Sonia Smith, Katie Aspel, Third Camp, Eskatology, and Let’s Dance Crew. The event opened with a moving Welcome to Country by Courtney Hunter Hebberman, and was guided throughout the day by engaging emcee Adam Troy Francis.

The kids cultural art workshop led by Ros Cameron gave young attendees a hands-on opportunity to connect with Indigenous art and storytelling, while market stalls showcased local creatives and cultural products.

Thanks to the incredible support from members of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, event partners, volunteers and residents, the day was a true celebration of culture, respect and community spirit.

The NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day was a joint collaboration between Adelaide Hills Council and Mount Barker District Council.