Celebrating NAIDOC Week – proudly standing with community

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This year, Darling Downs Health staff came together across the region to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026 – standing alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to honour culture, strengthen connections and reaffirm our commitment to health equity.

Marking 50 Years of NAIDOC – 50 Years Deadly, this year's celebrations carried extra significance, recognising the strength, resilience and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Darling Downs Health sits on the lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and that connection shapes how we care for our communities every day. You'll find it reflected in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health teams, Indigenous Liaison Officers, Health Workers and Health Practitioners across our facilities, and in the partnerships we hold with local Elders and community health organisations – relationships built on trust and genuine collaboration.

Image: Children proudly standing with and learning from QLD Ambulance Services.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equity Strategy 2025–2028 puts community voices at the centre of how we design and deliver care, so it's culturally safe, responsive and accessible for everyone.

From flag raising ceremonies to community days, expos and marches, our sites came together in ways big and small to mark the occasion.

Several of our hospitals hosted community days filled with music, food and family-friendly activities. In Toowoomba, staff and community gathered for a NAIDOC Community Day at Toowoomba Hospital, featuring traditional dancers, a yarning circle, johnny cake making and kids' activities – a chance for community members, families, staff and service providers to share stories and learn from one another.

Dalby Hospital's celebrations included live entertainment, kids' activities, community stalls, a BBQ lunch, an Elders tent, and a Big Buddy coffee and slushie stall. In Goondiwindi, the community enjoyed kids' activities, community stalls and a cake cutting, while Kingaroy Hospital brought staff, patients and visitors together for a BBQ, a special NAIDOC cake, and rock painting.

Image: Families embraced the opportunity to get creative, decorating boomerangs while celebrating culture, connection and community.

Stanthorpe hosted a staff luncheon with the local Indigenous community, Oakey's Dr EAF McDonald Nursing Home held a BBQ with live music and cake for residents, staff and Elders, and Miles Health Service put on a day of festivities including food from the Goondir Van, a jumping castle, face painting, lucky door prizes and a smoking ceremony – now an annual highlight for the community.

At Warwick Hospital, students from across the district came together for cultural performances, traditional games, weaving, painting and dancing with the Wakka Wakka Dance Group, thanks to the support of community partners, performers, stallholders and volunteers.

Elsewhere, celebrations focused on connection through shared activities with residents. In Jandowae, our people came together for lunch before joining residents from the local aged care facility to create a handprint artwork honouring the connection between generations – a fitting tribute in this milestone year.

Image: Families coming together to celebrate culture, community and connection.

At Mt Lofty Heights Residential Aged Care, residents took part in colouring, hand painting, dot painting and a wall display marking the 50-year NAIDOC milestone, along with a cake-cutting ceremony and a yarn with members of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Group.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations, and to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who welcomed us in to share, learn and celebrate together.

These events are a meaningful reminder of our ongoing commitment to culturally safe, respectful and inclusive care for the communities we serve. Here's to celebrating culture, honouring Elders, inspiring young people, and continuing to walk together towards a stronger future.

Image: Watching on with wonder as the Ngarrumban Aboriginal Dance Troupe brought culture and storytelling to life.