Around 70 people turned out for the launch, held in the front of Griffith City Council chambers.

The short, yet poignant, ceremony included a Welcome to Country by Aunty Gloria Goolagong followed by Griffith teen Madison Penrith in the Wiradjuri language.

In a sign of solidarity and reconciliation of cultures, Aboriginal elder Aunty Del Eade joined Mrs Goolagong, Roger Penrith and mayor John Dal Broi for the flag raising ceremony.

Mr Penrith told how NAIDOC Week this year celebrates the Yirrkala bark petitions that were submitted to federal parliament by the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land in 1963 to protest about the granting of mining rights on their land.

“NAIDOC Week celebrates the survival of the Indigenous culture and the Indigenous contribution to modern Australia,” Mr Penrith said.

“The celebrations continue to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the opportunity to celebrate and share their culture and heritage with the broader community. Everyone is encouraged to participate in NAIDOC Week activities.”

Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC) CEO Graham Kilby said it was important to acknowledge progress being made and to continue the journey.

“We no longer sit back and let governments make decisions on behalf of our people, we are now at the forefront of decision making,” he said.

“At council we have three people sitting on committees to ensure Aboriginal people are given a fair go. We have come a long way to improve health, housing and community service but there is still a long way to go.”

Cr Dal Broi acknowledged traditional owners and said council was committed to working with the Aboriginal community.

Following the ceremony a screening of three Aboriginal films from the National Film and Sound Archive were shown at the theatre.

Meanwhile, a host of other events have been planned for the rest of the week in Griffith.