Albany is hosting a packed program of events for NAIDOC Week this year, as the annual cultural event celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme 50 Years of Deadly.
The 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week marks five decades of acknowledging Indigenous history, culture, voices and achievements through annual events, and Albany is playing host to some special events to mark the occasion.
Portrait exhibition Binalup, Menang: First Light, First People opened at the Albany Town Hall on June 26, with WA Governor Chris Dawson making the trip down to Albany to officially open the landmark exhibition.
Photographer Nic Duncan and co-creator Carol Pettersen collaborated on the project for two years, bringing together representatives of all the Great Southern’s Noongar family groups to create an exhibition of 29 portraits of elders and young Noongar people.
The photos feature alongside extracts from interviews, allowing the featured subjects to tell their own stories.
Duncan joined a group of elders on Saturday at the Albany Town Hall for an artist talk, giving attendees a peek behind the curtain on the extensive process to bring the exhibition to life.
The Museum of the Great Southern and Albany Entertainment Centre will also host Menang-focused exhibitions of their own in honour of the week.
Kalyagul: Connections to Menang Country opened on Saturday at the Museum of the Great Southern, and will remain on show until February 21, 2027.
The exhibition, which is presented in conjunction with Deakin University, explores the crucial role Menang people played in sharing knowledge with early settlers in the region and the way this knowledge and connection to country has endured through the last two centuries.
Baranga Maditjil Boodja: Totem Magic Country is on show at the Albany Entertainment Centre until July 23, showcasing contemporary Noongar artworks.
Southern Aboriginal Corporation hosted its annual NAIDOC Ball on Saturday night at the Albany Entertainment Centre, adding a night of glamour to kick off the festivities before the official opening at the Albany Town Hall on Sunday.
Artist and weaver Michelle Earl is set to lead a weaving session at the Albany Public Library on Tuesday morning, with all invited to register for the free workshop and create their own raffia bracelet.
The library will also host a screening of Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra on Thursday from 12.30pm, with a light lunch provided for registered attendees.
The documentary premiered at the 2020 Brisbane International Film Festival and tells the story of brothers Stephen, David and Russell Page, and their mission to turn a fledgling Indigenous dance group into one of the leading performing arts companies in Australia.
The annual Waigyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation family fun day is set to take over the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on July 10, with activities for children and families on all day from 10am until 4pm.
City of Albany mayor Greg Stocks said this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations also provided a key opportunity to share Menang stories and history during Albany 2026.
“NAIDOC Week is a time to recognise the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while celebrating the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape our community,” he said.
“The city is proud to support a program that creates opportunities for connection, learning and cultural understanding, while honouring the stories, knowledge and contributions of Menang people and First Nations communities.”
The full program of NAIDOC Week events is available on the City of Albany website.
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