NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Bega’s annual celebrations were again well attended, as hundreds of Bega Valley residents and visitors took part in a various activities.

On the showground oval, children and the young at heart enjoyed a mini Olympics.

In the pavilion and surrounding area, there were a lot of fun activities for everyone, including traditional basket weaving, boomerang painting, face painting, dreadlock making and a jumping castle.

Information stalls were also set up for anyone interested, with topics including ways to quit smoking and saying no to violence.

NAIDOC Week celebrations in Bega were administrated by the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive officer Russell Cook said the 2013 event had been a great success.

“It’s been positive, it’s a very organic thing – we are happy with the turnout,” Mr Cook said.

“There are probably more here today than last year, which was a really cold day.

“The showground is probably a more suitable venue.”

Mr Cook said special guests include elders from the Wallaga Lake and Eden communities.

Pastor Ossie Cruse said “just to get people together is good stuff”.

“It’s nice to see happiness in the community – there is so much hurt in the world,” he said.

“Anything is a success when you do this together.”

* See Friday’s BDN for full story.