Working on the theme “honouring our elders, nurturing our youth”, the week’s beginning will be marked by a flag raising ceremony and morning tea at the Wreck Bay community, to which the Shoalhaven Mayor has been officially invited for the first time.

The Wreck Bay community will be the focus of much of the week’s attention, as it hosts a sports day tomorrow and the Booderee Cup touch football competition, Koori games and a barbecue on Thursday.

A range of events is being held in schools throughout the region during the week, often featuring students performing songs, dances and plays.

One of the more emotional events will occur on Wednesday when Shoalhaven High School unveils plaques paying tribute to past elders.

Shoalhaven High School students are in for a busy week, with members of its Aboriginal dance troupe booked solid for the coming week.

The performances started last Thursday, when five of the students performed for children and adults associated with the Family Day Care program.

Organiser Shane Davison said being part of the group was having a major impact on students as young as Year seven, who “seem to be engaged in their culture a lot more”.

It also helped instil pride and overcome a sense of embarrassment or even shame about their culture, Mr Davison said.

“A lot of them are too used to the term shame job, which holds us back too much,” he explained.

Also as part of NAIDOC Week Shoalhaven City Arts Centre is coordinating an art exhibition in the Nowra School of Arts for with an official opening tomorrow night.

Council is also organizing a morning tea and flag raising ceremony at Shoalhaven City Council’s Administration Centre on Thursday from 10.30am in the reception room, and then in the forecourt of council’s offices.