2025 NAIDOC Family Fun Day in Koonawarra

On Thursday 10 July 2025, we had the privilege of joining CareWays Community NAIDOC Family Fun Day at the Koonawarra Community Centre, one of the Illawarra region’s most vibrant celebrations of culture, community, and connection. We were one of forty service providers participating in the day filled with joyful dance, powerful singing, and heartfelt conversations that honoured the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples.

We proudly shared a stall with Debbie from the AHO Home Ownership team, showcasing the work we’re doing together to increase home ownership opportunities alongside First Nations families. It was inspiring to see so many people engaging with how we can work alongside families with our Empowerment Services.

This year’s NAIDOC theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” celebrates 50 years of NAIDOC and honours the young Indigenous leaders shaping the future. It’s a theme that resonates deeply with us—especially as we celebrate one of our most recent First Nations homeowners, a young man still in his 20s, who purchased his first home just around the corner from the event. His story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when opportunity meets determination.

A special moment from the day was having a yarn with our First Nations Executive Pam, our Aunty in Residence Fran. We reflected on the deep significance of this week—not just as a celebration, but as a time to honour legacy, uplift voices, and walk together towards more equal access to housing options for First Nations Peoples.

A heartfelt thank you to Debbie and the AHO team for your generosity and partnership. And to our passionate Head Start Homes team— Stephen Woodlands, Jo Formosa, Linda Bunclark, Natasha Kahn, Kate Fenton, Cindy Lee, Pam Jackson—thank you for showing up with purpose and pride. Special thanks to Linda for all your hard work on making it happen.

#NAIDOC2025 #TheNextGeneration #StrengthVisionLegacy #AHO #HeadStartHomes #HomeOwnership #Empowerment #Koonawarra #