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History of NAIDOC

The history of NAIDOC celebrations originates with the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC), founded in 1957 to promote the first Sunday in July as a day for focusing Australians’ attention on the Aboriginal communities in their midst. The National Missionary Council of Australia (NMCA) had, since 1940, encouraged churches to observe the Sunday before the Australia Day weekend as Aboriginal Sunday. The NMCA had taken up a suggestion by William Cooper, who, following his successful promotion of a ‘day of mourning’ on Australia Day 1938, had written to the NMCA seeking help in establishing a permanent Aborigines Day. In 1955 the NMCA changed the date to the first Sunday in July and secured the support of federal and state governments, as a result of which the original NADOC was formed. The establishment of the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs boosted the activities of the committee, which in 1974 became an all-Aboriginal body.

In 1975 NADOC extended Aboriginal Day into National Aborigines Week, during which the Aboriginal people’s cultural heritage and contribution to Australian society are celebrated. Various activities are arranged for each day of the week, wherever it is celebrated. In more recent years National Aborigines Weeks have followed particular themes. For instance, the 1987 theme was ‘White Australia has a black history’, a timely reminder to non-Aboriginal Australians as they entered the year of the bicentenary of European settlement. Since 1976 NADOC has run as a federal body; in 1989 the word ‘Islander’ was added to the title which became the National Aboriginal and Islander Observance Committee, hence NAIDOC.

AIATSIS does not hold posters for the following years: 1973 and 1975

Poster gallery

2020 to 2023

2023

For Our Elders
Bobbi Lockyer
Theme: For Our Elders

Bobbi Lockyer, a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru artist, born and based on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland, is the winner of the prestigious National NAIDOC Week Poster Competition for 2023 with her entry, For Our Elders.

“Where there is knowledge there are our Elders. Our Elders paved the pathways for us, taught us our knowledge, our history, they passed down their art, stories and wisdom. Our Elders are the foundation of our communities and role models for our children. With this poster I wanted to showcase how important our Elders are in passing down traditions and culture to our children and future.” said Bobbi.

Except where otherwise noted, the 2023 National NAIDOC Week Poster is provided under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-N4 4.0). The Poster must be used in its entirety, as supplied. An alternative version using the graphic and text elements is not to be produced. The Poster must be attributed as ‘The 2023 National NAIDOC Week Poster incorporating the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (licensed by the Torres Strait Island Council).’

2022 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Stronger’ © Ryhia Dank, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2022

Stronger
Ryhia Dank
Theme: Get up! Stand up! Show up!

Ryhia Dank, a young Gudanji/Wakaja artist created this piece after reading this year’s National NAIDOC Week theme – Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! “I knew straight away I wanted to do a graphic piece centred around our flags with text highlighting what we have been through and are still fighting for” said Ryhia. “I feel that this piece being black and white allows us to focus on the details and messages in the artwork”

The artwork features bits of Ryhia and her family “I have included a crocodile for my late granny. She was one of the strongest women I know and was never afraid to speak her mind and stand up for family and Country. I have also included my family’s dancing stick, this is present as a reminder that we will always have our Country, Kin and Culture.

There are also symbols to represent us as a community. People gathered around a camp, a spear and woomera to represent our strength, water, trees, animal tracks and non-human entities to show our connection to Country.” Ryhia Dank, Nardurna 

2021

Care for Country
Maggie-Jean Douglas

Theme: Heal Country!

Maggie-Jean Douglas, a Gubbi Gubbi artist from South East Queensland, used the 2021 NAIDOC Week theme, Heal Country!, as inspiration for her winning artwork ‘Care for Country’. This is a bright and vibrant artwork which explores how Country has cared for and healed First Nations people spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally.

“When creating ‘Care for Country’ I kept in mind that this meant spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally – I chose to create a bright and vibrant artwork that included the different colours of the land but showed how they come together in our beautiful country and to make people feel hopeful for the future.

I’ve included communities/people, animals and bush medicines spread over different landscapes of red dirt, green grass, bush land and coastal areas to tell the story of the many ways country can and has healed us throughout our lives and journeys.” Maggie-Jean Douglas

2021 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Care for Country’ © Maggie-Jean Douglas, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2020 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Shape of Land’ © Tyrown Waigana, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2020

Shape of Land
Tyrown Waigana

Theme: Always Was, Always Will Be

The Rainbow Serpent came out of the Dreamtime to create this land. It is represented by the snake and it forms the shape of Australia, which symbolises how it created our lands.

The colour from the Rainbow Serpent is reflected on to the figure to display our connection to the Rainbow Serpent, thus our connection to country. The overlapping colours on the outside is the Dreamtime.

The figure inside the shape of Australia is a representation of Indigenous Australians showing that this country - since the dawn of time - Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land.

2010 to 2019

2019

Awaken
Charmaine Mumbulla

Theme: VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH.

Dawn light stretches across Uluru promising hope and new beginnings. The circles at the base of Uluru represent the gathering of many people from different nations to consult and discuss new ways of moving forward, resulting in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

A new day and a new beginning calls for a new way of moving forward as a nation.

2019 NAIDOC poster ‘Awaken’ © Charmaine Mumbulla, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2018 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Tarmunggie Woman’  © Cheryl Moggs, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2018

Tarmunggie Woman
Cheryl Moggs
Theme: Because of her, we can!

Witnessing historic and horrific atrocities against our people, lands and culture. Advocating, struggling and taking up the fight for equality, justice, civil rights and social change. From the footprints of the white eye on our traditional lands, to the breast of our mothers, grandmothers to now and the future you still stand proud, strong, influential and inspiring. You are our mothers, elders, grandmothers, aunties, sisters and our daughters. You hold the knowledge, stories, language, culture and our future. BECAUSE OF YOU, We Can! Become educated, practice our culture, language and pass knowledge to our children, become leaders and trail blazers ourselves, have a dream that is possible to achieve, fuse our culture and arts into two worlds, have a place, identity and future, embed our footprints and spirit back on country, have a voice in policy direction, change the state of our identity and character that are unjust, hold our heads and be proud to be First Nations.

2017

Your Tribe, My Tribe, Our Nation
Joanne Cassady

Theme: Our Languages Matter

All our languages matter and are important to us as Indigenous Australians. My artwork reflects this year’s theme by incorporating some of the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations and languages around Australia.

2017 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Your Tribe, My Tribe, Our Nation’ © Joanne Cassady, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2016 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Songlines Tie All Aboriginal People Together’ © Lani Balzan, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2016

Songlines Tie All Aboriginal People Together
Lani Balzan
Theme: Songlines Tie All Aboriginal People Together

This is my passionate expressions of a spiritual connection to the land. Songlines Tie All Aboriginal People Together.

Songlines criss-cross and go east and west and they go north and south and they go diagonally and they backtrack according to the journeys of the ancestors. They create a kind of cultural network of stories that ties all of Aboriginal People together.

This is what my painting is representing, you can see all the songlines coming together creating our nation.

The Dreaming stories are presented as elaborate song cycles (Songlines) that relate to a specific place, group and individual. Dreamtime ancestors made Songlines as part of the creation story. They provide a map of recording the landscape and represent the relationship between the land, sea and the people.

2015

Our Steps of Respect
Elaine Chambers
Theme: We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn Respect & Celebrate

My artwork is a combination of my photography, drawings, and graphic design work—representing the ages and colours of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and their strong spiritual and cultural connection to the land and the sea. The feet represent the different people, from elders to the young and stories our elders shared of the significant sites and sacred places, and how all Australians should take the time to learn about our history and stories.

2015 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Our Steps of Respect’ © Elaine Chambers, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2014 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Those who Stand to Defend Our Land’ © Harry Alfred Pitt, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2014

Those who Stand to Defend Our Land
Harry Alfred Pitt
Theme: Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond

My artwork features three brothers with their land behind them and the horizon before the. Their Elders are reflected in the water, giving the brothers the strength to overcome what lies over the horizon. My work acknowledges the young men and women of today who are across the sea doing their very best to protect their home and serve their country, empowered by their ancestors. Our soldiers are embracing their heritage and protecting their homes, just as their ancestors did before them, only now they do this beyond the shares of their homeland.

2013

Claiming our Ground
Gail Naden
Theme: We value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963

Being recognised as the first people who occupied the land has been a struggle for our people to claim back what was already ours. Fifty years ago the Yolngu people worked together and fought for land rights. Claiming Our Ground combines two digital images, one depicting the legs of men walking around the land and one of water particles embossed to create crevices. Ochre colours were added and circles of communities were drawn to give the impression of distances occupied by our fore fathers and mothers. Brown bark background with wording We value the Vision, Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963. Celebrating NAIDOC Week 7-14 July 2013.

2013 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Claiming our Ground’ © Gail Naden, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2012 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Look at us now’ © Amanda Joy Tronc, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2012

Look at us now
Amanda Joy Tronc
Theme: Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond

I was shocked to realise that most people I know have never heard of the Tent Embassy. I knew it existed but never appreciated what our people and my family had to fight for only 40 years ago. I researched the four men who founded the Tent Embassy – Billy Craige, Bert Williams, Michael Anderson and Tony Coorey and thought it was important to portray them in my artwork along with their beach umbrella in front of Parliament House. Forty years on, the foreground shows what we have achieved today because of the fruits of their labour. The artwork shows that our history is behind us but our culture is part of our people, not dwindling but getting stronger the more our mob succeed and pave the way for the future generations.

2011

Road to Change
Matthew Humphries
Theme: Change: the next step is ours

A First Australian family links hands as they step out on the road to change – proud of who they are, encouraged by what has already been achieved, and united in their goal to be change makers for a bright new future. 

Mr Humphries said his design incorporated his interests in painting, sketching and airbrushing together with his experience working with digital media. “I spent a week thinking of a design that would reflect the 2011 theme and once I had a clear idea what I wanted to do, started to transfer the design on to a digital canvas,” Mr Humphries said.

2011 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Road to Change’ © Matthew Humphries, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2010 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Unsung Heroes – Leading Through Example’ © Sheree Blackley, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2010

Unsung Heroes – Leading Through Example
Sheree Blackley
Theme: Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way

The artwork depicts an Aboriginal mother who is an ‘Unsung Hero’ leading her children through example, showing that actions can speak louder than words. The dot work illustrates nurturing and teaching from birth, always guiding our children towards ‘closing the gap’, towards ‘success’ for those who choose to stay on the path.

2000 to 2009

2009

Carrying On Our Culture
Luke Mallie
Theme: Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth

This artwork represents the elders teaching and keeping watch over the young as they learn and grow into adults to then carry on the culture. The painting also depicts the old ones who watch over everyone to protect and guide us through our lives. We all have the ability to connect to those old spirits if we need guidance or inspiration.

2009 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Carrying On Our Culture’ © Luke Mallie, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2008 National NAIDOC Poster Advance Australia Fair?’ © Duwun Lee and Laniyuk Lee, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2008

Advance Australia Fair?    
Duwun Lee and Laniyuk Lee
Theme: Them doe the year

The government has said SORRY – so let’s Advance Australia and be Fair.

The kangaroo and emu are the two unique Indigenous animals that are on the Australian coat of arms and, some say, were chosen because they move forward and find it difficult to go backwards. Their positions have been switched, left and right, to represent the switch in the Governments attitude.

They are surrounded by the stars of the Southern Cross which, like Aboriginal people, have been here since the beginning of time. There must be a change in attitudes of black and white and all the colours in between. Black people must stop waiting for governments and white people to fix their problems – they must start fixing the problems that they can. Governments must not look at Indigenous problems and say “This is going to cost too much to fix” or “The problem is too big”.

Now is the best time because we are in a time of great prosperity which is ripped from the land that rightly belongs to Aboriginal people.

For the background we have used the colours of the land, the sorry is in blue representing water and a healing point. The Southern Cross is in the colours of the sunset, the time when it first comes out. The lines connecting the Southern Cross represent the spirits of our ancestors that are looking down on us and keeping an eye on us. The lines are black for our ancestors and the orange is power and knowledge that they have and have given.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders’ future, like this poster, can be built on the Rudd Government’s SORRY. Advance Australia, both Fair and Dark.

2007

The Path We Lead
Tyeli Hannah
Theme: 50 Years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak

As Indigenous Australians, we are travelling along a path. This path is along and ancient one that has served us well. 

Along this path we have hit hard times, often leaving us heart-broken. 

Though we are torn and weathered, we still have a bright future. 

We look forward to equality in education, health, employment and standard of living. The path won’t be easy, but we will get there. 

“I wanted people, especially Indigenous people, to feel as if the future holds positive things for them,” Tyeli says. “As an Indigenous person, there are a lot of hard things to deal with in life, but there are also a lot a great things and that’s what we should be celebrating. “We need to recognise and strive to achieve good things in life, as well as deal with the negative stuff.”

2007 National NAIDOC Poster ‘The Path We Lead’ © Tyeli Hannah licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2006 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Life Circle’ © Charmaine Papertalk-Green licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2006

Life Circle
Charmaine Papertalk-Green
Theme: Respect the Past-Believe in the Future

Our past and our future are interconnected. In the circle of life as we move from the past to the future we must always remember and respect everything in the past. Our history, our culture, our traditions, our ancestors and our own experiences. This way we can walk into the future with respect and confidence.

2005

Lift Our Spirits
Benjamin Hodges
Theme: Our Future Begins with Solidarity

Sometimes our culture may seem as though it is a heavy burden. Sometimes to exit and gain acceptance in non-Indigenous society, we question the importance of our culture. Would it be easier to leave it behind? But our culture is not excess baggage we can freely dispose of. The sphere-shaped objects represent non-Indigenous society. I have chosen a smoother and rounded 3-dimensional shape as this shape rolls ahead with ease regardless of surface, environment or where it is placed. The huge cube represents Indigenous culture. It appears to be heavy to lift and would be easier to leave behind as it is a lot more complex to move without assistance. 

Although the cube is larger in size, its contents symbolise a personal significance. The size and colour differences also have meaning. The smaller balls appear metallic and cold whereas the cube is visually vibrant and loud with a sense of warmth. The shadows also play an important part. As the sun rises from the east, this represents Indigenous people moving toward a new day. Our bond with immediate and extended family members and giving nature is our fashion. We are identified by our language, customs and dance. We have a future because of our histories bloodline and by working together in unity we carry our culture and lift our spirits. 

2005 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Lift Our Spirits’ © Benjamin Hodges, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2004 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Self-determination: Our Community—Our Future—Our Responsibility’ © Jirra Lulla, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2004

Self-determination-Our Community-Our Future-Our Responsibility
Jirra Lulla
Theme: Self-determination-Our Community-Our Future-Our Responsibility

 

2003

Our Children Our Future
Belynda Waugh
Theme: Our Children Our Future

This theme highlights the importance of ensuring our children have the right to life, good health, protection, education, and an adequate standard of living.

2003 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Our Children Our Future’ © Belynda Waugh, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2002 National NAIDOC Poster ‘In going home we are connected, even in a Whirly Wind’ © Juundaal Strang-Yettica, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2002

In going home we are connected, even in a Whirly Wind.
Juundaal Strang-Yettica
Theme: Recognition, Rights and Reform

 

2001

Treaty-Let’s Get it Right
 Marika Baumgart
Theme: Treaty-Let’s Get it Right

 

2001 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Treaty – Let’s Get it Right’ © Marika Baumgart, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2000 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Building Pride in Our Communities’ © Cecily Wellington, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

2000

Building Pride in Our Communities 
Cecily Wellington
Theme: Building Pride in Our Communities 

 

1990 to 1999

1999

Image name
Warwick Keen
Theme: 
Show some, earn some respect

 

1999 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Show some, earn some respect’ © Warwick Keen licensed, to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1998 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Bringing Them Home’ © Ray Thomas, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1998

Bringing Them Home
Ray Thomas, 1960
Theme: Bringing Them Home

 

1997

Gurindji, Mabo, Wik-Three Strikes for Justice-Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
Eleanor Binge
Theme: Gurindji, Mabo, Wik-Three Strikes for Justice-Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum

 

1997 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Gurindji, Mabo, Wik-Three Strikes for Justice-Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum’ © Eleanor Binge, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1996 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Survive • Revive • Come Alive’ © Ron Corbett, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1996

Survive-Revive-Come Alive
Ron Corbett
Theme: Survive-Revive-Come Alive

The faces represent the regeneration of families and communities who make up Indigenous peoples of Australia. The animal life form the land and the sea represents the food, knowledge and wisdom of the oldest surviving culture in the world. We come alive through our spiritual connection with the land, our mother.

1995

Justice Not Tolerance
Ian Wallan Hill
Theme: 
Justice Not Tolerance

Ian Wallan Hill is a Bibbulmun Noongar from the South West town of Busselton, and has won two NAIDOC poster competitions.

1995 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Justice Not Tolerance’ © Ian Wallan Hill licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1994 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Families Are the Basis of Our Existence-Maintain the Link’ © Dale Huddleston licensed, to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1994

Families Are the Basis of Our Existence-Maintain the Link
Dale Huddleston
Theme: Families Are the Basis of Our Existence-Maintain the Link

 

1993

Aboriginal Nations-Owners of the Land Since Time Began-Community is Unity
Danny Eastwood
Theme: Aboriginal Nations-Owners of the Land Since Time Began-Community is Unity

 

1993 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Aboriginal Nations – Owners of the Land Since Time Began – Community is Unity’ © Danny Eastwood, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1992 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Maintain the Dreaming-Our Culture is Our Heritage’ © Heather Kemarre Shearer, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1992

Maintain the Dreaming-Our Culture is Our Heritage
Heather Kemarre Shearer
Theme: Maintain the Dreaming-Our Culture is Our Heritage

Artwork by Arrernte artist Helen Kemarre Shearer. Of the artwork Shearer writes: ‘These are my Dreaming stories from my mother’s and my father’s country - Arrernte Dreaming tracks. I lived at Atitjere Homelands, which is Harts Range on the white fellas map. Dreaming’s represented are the snake, yalka (bush onion), tjaipa (witchetty grub), honey ant and the seven sisters. Alangwa is shown as a vital food supply which is constant and a strength to and for the people. The hands symbolise the passing down of our Dreaming stories for our future generations.’

1991

Community is Unity-Our Future Depends on Us 
Ron Hurley
Theme: Community is Unity-Our Future Depends on Us 

 

1991 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Community is Unity-Our Future Depends on Us’ © Ron Hurley, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1990 National NAIDOC Poster ‘New Decade-Don’t Destroy, Learn and Enjoy Our Cultural Heritage’ © Gloria Beckett, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1990

New Decade-Don’t Destroy, Learn and Enjoy Our Cultural Heritage 
Gloria Beckett (Brisbane)
Theme: New Decade-Don’t Destroy, Learn and Enjoy Our Cultural Heritage 

 

1980 to 1989

1989

The Party is Over-Let’s Be Together as an Aboriginal Nation
Unknown Artist
Theme: The Party is Over-Let’s Be Together as an Aboriginal Nation

1989 National NAIDOC Poster ‘The Party is Over-Let’s Be Together as an Aboriginal Nation’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1988 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Recognise and Share the Survival of the Oldest Culture in the World’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1988

Recognise and Share the Survival of the Oldest Culture in the World
Unknown Artist
Theme: Recognise and Share the Survival of the Oldest Culture in the World

1987

White Australia Has a Black History
Laurie Nilsen (1953)
Theme: White Australia Has a Black History

Nilsen, Mandandanji descendant, used a palette of warm and natural earthy tones of ochre, red and black to represent Indigenous figures and iconography including a stockman riding a horse in front of Uluru; a man wearing a dhari (traditional dancer’s headdress); rock paintings; a mother and son watching a tall ship; a soldier in a trench and a portrait of rugby player Mark Ella, recipient of Young Australian of the Year in 1982. The text ‘White Australia has a Black History’ is a slogan that alludes to Australia’s long-standing reluctance to meaningfully acknowledge Aboriginal people and perspective in the telling of a national history and was the theme when Perth hosted NAIDOC week in 1987 (Pearson 2016). 

NAIDOC 1987 Poster Artist ‘White Australia Has a Black History’ © Laurie Nilsen, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1986 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Peace-Not For You-Not For Me-But For All’ © Robert Layton, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1986

Peace-Not For You-Not For Me-But For All
Photographer – Robert Layton
Theme: Peace-Not For You-Not For Me-But For All

A NAIDOC poster featuring a photograph by Robert Layton, author of the publication ‘Uluru: An Aboriginal History of Ayers Rock’. While researching material for this book, Layton assisted with the preparation of a number of Aboriginal Land Claims including the claim to Uluru National Park. 

1985

Understanding: It Takes the Two of Us
Unknown Artist 
Theme: Understanding: It Takes the Two of Us

NAIDOC 1985 Poster Understanding: It Takes the Two of Us © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1984 National NAIDOC Poster ‘Take a Journey of Discovery – To the Land My Mother Artist’ © Kaapa Mbijana, licensed to the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1984

Take a Journey of Discovery – To the Land My Mother
Kaapa Mbijana
Theme: Take a Journey of Discovery – To the Land My Mother

1983

Let’s Talk – We Have Something To Say
Unknown Artist 

Theme: Let’s Talk – We Have Something To Say

Poster promoting NAIDOC Week 1983. The theme ‘Let’s Talk - We Have Something to Say’ was selected to complement the United Nations Year of World Communications. Features a colour photograph of a woman using the Aboriginal method of telling traditional stories to young people with string.

NAIDOC 1983 Poster ‘Let's Talk – We Have Something To Say’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

NAIDOC 1982 Poster ‘Race For Life For a Race’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1982

Race For Life For a Race
Unknown Artist 

Theme: Race For Life For a Race

Poster promoting NADOC Week 1982. The theme ‘Race for Life For A Race’ was selected to compliment the national focus on the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

1981

Sacred Sites Aboriginal Rights-Other Australians Have Their Rites
Unknown Artist 

Theme: Sacred Sites Aboriginal Rights-Other Australians Have Their Rites

NAIDOC 1981 Poster ‘Sacred Sites Aboriginal Rights-Other Australians Have Their Rites’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

NAIDOC 1980 Poster ‘Treat Us to a Treaty on Land Rights’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1980

Treat Us to a Treaty on Land Rights
Unknown Artist 
Theme: Treat Us to a Treaty on Land Rights

1970 to 1979

1979

1979 International Year of the Child. What About Our Kids!
Unknown Artist 
Theme: 1979 International Year of the Child. What About Our Kids!

NAIDOC 1979 Poster ‘1979 International Year of the Child. What About Our Kids!’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

NAIDOC 1978 Poster ‘Cultural Revival is Survival’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1978

Cultural Revival is Survival
Unknown Artist 

Cultural Revival is Survival

This NADOC [now NAIDOC] poster reflects the decision of the Committee to transition from a day of demonstration to a week- long celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The posters title 'Cultural Revival is Survival' represents the decision to introduce ideas of culture and history into what had become predominantly politically based themes for the posters. This poster, depicting an Aboriginal rock painting, promotes the protection of cultural property and the survival of Aboriginal culture as part of National Aborigines Week 10-16 July 1978.

1977

Chains or Change
Unknown Artist
Theme: Chains or Change

Poster produced by the National Aborigines' Day Observance Committee (NADOC) to mark the 10th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on National Aborigines Day, 8th July 1977. The poster resembles the Aboriginal Flag. The yellow circle at the centre of the poster featuring an Indigenous man wearing a chain around his neck enclosed by a large white question mark.

NAIDOC 1977 Poster ‘Chains or Change’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

NAIDOC 1976 Poster ‘Trucanini Last of her People Born 18?? Died 1876. Buried 1976. Received Her Land Rights at Last’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1976

Trucanini Last of her People Born 18?? Died 1876. Buried 1976. Received Her Land Rights at Last
Unknown Artist
Theme: Trucanini Last of her People Born 18?? Died 1876. Buried 1976. Received Her Land Rights at Last

“Oh Trucanini
What did your dreamtime spirit feel 
As it watched them take you after death
As a rare museum piece, 
Oh Trucanini 
Will the dreamtime spirits of our race
One day rise with us 
As they did with you.” 

1975

AIATSIS does not hold the poster for 1975.

Justice for Urban Aboriginal Children
Unknown Artist
Theme: Justice for Urban Aboriginal Children

1974

Self Determination
Unknown Artist
Theme: Self Determination

NAIDOC 1974 Poster ‘Self Determination’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

1973

AIATSIS does not hold the poster for 1975.

It’s Time For Mutual Understanding
Unknown Artist
Theme: It’s Time For Mutual Understanding

1972

Advance Australia Where?
Unknown Artist
Theme: Advance Australia Where?

Poster celebrating first National Aborigines' Day observed on the 14th of July 1972, after the Department of Aboriginal Affairs was formed as a major outcome of the 1967 Referendum. The second Sunday in July is associated as a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.

NAIDOC 1972 Poster ‘Advance Australia Where?’ © The Artist, licenced to the Commonwealth as represented by the National Indigenous Australians Agency available for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons 3.0 Australia – Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works licence (CC-BY-NC-ND).

Last updated: 20 June 2023