NAIDOC Week is the 8-15 November this year (postponed from July) with the theme – Always Was, Always Will Be.

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The week celebrates the histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Nations people who have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

Along the Myall Coast, we recognise the traditional custodians of the land, especially the Gathang-speaking (Biripi and Worimi) peoples.

Interestingly, according to the 1954 Newcastle Herald, the word Myall is Dharug for a stranger.

How this came to be the name of this beautiful area is somewhat of a mystery with competing tales – so let NOTA know if you do.

The Manning Regional Art Gallery is hosting a week of NAIDOC activities including learning about weaving and clapsticks, and listening to wonderful stories: go to events at htps://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Remembrance Day also falls this week, so take some time to reflect and remember those who served in World War One, as well as those who continue to serve our community.

A quick run around the Myall and lots of good things happening:

• TGHN Preschool in Yamba St, Hawks Nest, is holding their annual Book Fair with hundreds of wonderful children’s books for sale: drop in between 8.30 – 4.00 each day Monday to Thursday, EFTPOS available or contact 49970037.
• Gloucester Twilight Christmas Community Markets are back from Thursday 26 November, 5.00pm to 8.00pm at ​Billabong Park, so start shopping with six weeks left to Christmas.
• Fishing is on with the Tea Gardens Country Club Fishing Club holding a fishing and BBQ weekend the 13-15 November so register at the club by 12pm Saturday and good luck.

Local achievements were also big this week.

Gaye Page completed her apprenticeship and is now a star Pastry Chef and Baker at the Myall River Bakery Café which reopened this week after a well deserved break (helping the now hundreds of locals desperately seeking coffee and cake by the river).

Brad Morante in an epic effort finished this year’s Great Cycle Challenge, riding to fight kids cancer which sadly remains the largest single killer of children from disease in Australia, over 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 die every week.

Locals can still donate to Brad who has ridden 223.4km and raised an amazing $13,243 to date: go to https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au.

Finally, this week is also National Recycling Week focusing on “Recovery – A future beyond the bin’.

The idea is to repurpose, reuse or recycle stuff to reduce waste and landfill.

So get creative at craft time for all those Christmas gifts.

By Sandra MURRAY