Letting the hair down at the Naidoc Gala Dinner

The event held at the Overlander Hotel on Saturday night had about 70 attendees. 

Entertainment included Indigenous comedian Matt Ford and musician Warren H Williams.

Ford’s most popular joke of the night, or at least the one with the strongest applause, would have been his bit about changing the date of Australia Day. 

The humour was noting how it could not be done, and yet the day for television program Hey Hey It’s Saturday had changed. 

Event co-organiser Trish Macnamara said the Naidoc march on Friday was a good way for families to end the festivities together. 

But the gala dinner was a chance for adults to “let their hair down a little bit” at the end of Naidoc festivities. 

State MP Rob Katter and mayor Joyce McCulloch were local politicians attending the function. 

Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health’s Head of Indigenous Health, Shaun Solomon, also attended. He said that Naidoc Week was for everyone in the community. 

“It’s highlighting the aboriginal community not just in Mount Isa, but nationally,” Mr Solomon said. 

“It’s about all us Australians coming together, the aboriginal and non-aboriginal community, and showcasing the aboriginal community together. That’s the main purpose.” 

Also attending was Kalkadoon elder George Leon, who said Naidoc week gave aboriginal people across the country recognition for achievements.