Mayoral Column – Celebrating and strengthening First Nations connections

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

Penrith City Council is excited to bring thousands of people together this week for our popular NAIDOC event, celebrating the history, cultural richness and achievements of the City’s First Nations communities.

We are celebrating this year’s theme, ‘50 years of Deadly’, which marks five decades of NAIDOC Week, reflecting Australia’s shared commitment to honouring culture, history and reconciliation.

On 10 July, Jamison Park will come alive as we partner with local organisations to deliver cultural performances, talks and workshops, market stalls, a free community BBQ, and activities. There will also be free access to health services to support the wellbeing of residents and visitors. Learn more at penrith.city/naidoc.

Council is passionate about cultural diversity as it unites our growing community. The mix of cultures in our City today begins with more than 60,000 years of First Nations cultural heritage and we acknowledge the richness this brings to Penrith.

Council is strengthening First Nations connections through various initiatives, and I am pleased to share that Council recently endorsed our Draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for exhibition.

Developed to guide our reconciliation efforts, Council’s Draft RAP has been informed by years of listening and strong engagement with First Nations people and services. It will help us build and extend our relationships, increase cultural awareness in our organisation to better inform decision-making, and provide more meaningful opportunities across our City.

I encourage you to read and provide feedback on this important plan, which is now on public exhibition and available at yoursaypenrith.com.au.

Council continues to deliver our Caring for Country program in partnership with Darug and Gundungarra Traditional owners and local First Nations services, with support from the NSW Government and the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils.

Through this program, we have engaged local students out of the classroom, providing meaningful experiences on Country and strengthening cultural connections to people and place.

We also continue to provide access to services through the Muru Murak Interagency and at our regular Village Café sessions. Learn more at penrith.city/villagecafe.

Cr Todd Carney
Mayor of Penrith

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 8 July 2026.