Peninsula dancers in NAIDOC ceremony

Internationally-recognised indigenous dance troupe Desert Dance joined the local Peninsula Indigenous Performing Arts (PIPA) troupe for NAIDOC Week celebrations at Gosford Council on July 6.

The joint performance by members of PIPA and the Desert Dance troupes paid homage and respect to the custodians of the land.

The dancers were part of council's flag-raising ceremony held in the forecourt of its administration building in Mann St, Gosford.

Mayor Cr Laurie Maher said this year's celebration was the biggest yet and stated how important the ceremony was for the Central Coast in recognising our cultural heritage.

"We have come some way in the journey of recognising our cultural heritage but we do have a long way to go, so we will continue to work hard in that direction," Cr Maher said.

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This year's theme is Respect the Past, Believe in the Future.

Press release, July 10 Marion Newall, Gosford Council