WEEIP Park and Cale Street transformed into a lively hub of culture, unity, and reflection this week as crowds gathered for the 2026 Midland NAIDOC celebration.

Marking a historic milestone of 50 years of NAIDOC celebrations, the free community event brought together residents from across the region to honor the enduring strength, pride, and heritage of First Nations people.

The event highlighted the national 2026 theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’, which recognises five decades of the national Indigenous-led committee.

Organised through a joint effort by Indigo Junction and the City of Swan, the annual gathering highlighted the region’s deep connection to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

Indigo Junction board director and Bibbulmun Boodja man John Mogridge said the theme was about staying strong, honouring the path forged by Elders, and inspiring future generations.

“It’s about staying strong and staying on path, reflecting on how hard the Elders had it, but also honouring them in everything we do,” Mr Mogridge said.

“It’s also about who is looking up to us, our young people, our little fellas, and our teenage leaders.”

Running on Tuesday, October 6 from 10am to 2pm, the program included a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, flag raising, traditional dance performances, interactive cultural experiences, bush tucker tastings, community stalls, children’s activities, and award presentations.

As reported in Midland NAIDOC needs support, this year’s event was shaping to be the biggest every organised, with around 110 stallholders involved.

Local sponsors for the event included Midlas, Landgate, Midland Brick, St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals and the WA Police Force.

With strong crowds filling the park throughout the afternoon, Mr Mogridge said the gathering proved how vital NAIDOC celebrations remain for bringing people together in mutual respect.

“Our community always needs an opportunity to come together in a respectful way and really support each other,” he said.

“Events like this couldn’t happen without a lot of hard work in the background, and the working relationship across the board with our partners and general community is just really awesome.

“I was saying to the Elder who won the Elder Award that you wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, this Midland patch and the northeast corridor is amazing,” Mr Mogridge said.