A little bit of rain certainly did not dampen the spirits of the Cowra community as residents came together to celebrate the start of NAIDOC Week.
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The week began with a march down Kendal Street, followed by a flag raising and family fun day at River Park on Monday.
Before the flag raising, Koori man Albert Murray gave a welcome to country, also thanking Cowra Council and Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre for organising the day.
"As we all know NAIDOC Week is a very important week for us Koori people and we appreciate the time and effort you go out of your way to help us celebrate our week, today in particular," Mr Murray said.
He said a Welcome to Country has been a been a custom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for thousands of years.
"Today much has changed and these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances, however the essential elements of welcoming visitors and offering safe passage remains in place," he said.
Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West said NAIDOC Week is a significant and important part of any community's calendar.
"It is an opportunity to formally recognise the contribution over thousands of years of the traditional custodians to our way of life, our culture, our history and our heritage," Cr West said.
"The contribution I hope will be recognised in the not to distant future with constitutional recognition."
