It honours all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island men and women who fought in defence of their country, both those who served with honour and pride in Australia’s military conflicts and engagements but also those who fought in the Australian frontier wars as custodians of the land defending it against pastoralists and settlers.

The chief executive officer of the Bega Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Russell Cook, said NAIDOC was a celebration of community and survival, but a time to have fun and enjoy yourself.

On Thursday in Bega there will be a Community Fun Day and barbecue at the Bega Showground from 10am until 3pm organised by the Bega Local Aboriginal Lands Council.

There will be a lot to see and do at the fun day with traditional dance and music, a big barbecue lunch with salads, children’s activities including face-painting, jumping castles, the Playability toy library and paint-a-boomerang.

There will also be information stalls and giveaways.

The Community Fun Day is supported by the Bega Valley Shire Council, Indigenous Coordination Centre Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Katungal Aboriginal Health Service and Wandarma Drug and Alcohol Service.

The Eden Local Aboriginal Lands Council and Twofold Aboriginal Corporation had a flag-raising at Eden on Monday, a community fun day at Jigamy Farm on Wednesday and will be hosting an Elders’ dinner on Saturday.

The Merriman’s Local Aboriginal Land Council will hold a community luncheon on Friday followed by the film Ten Canoes.