Aboriginal Community

Tamworth Regional Council acknowledges the Kamilaroi/Gomeroi people as the traditional custodians of this land. We recognise that Australia is a country of which the members and Elders of the local Aboriginal communities have been custodians for many centuries, and on which these people have performed age-old ceremonies.

We also acknowledge their living culture and unique role in our vibrant community.

The traditional Aboriginal groups of the Tamworth Regional Council area are the Kamilaroi/Gomeroi peoples of the Kamilaroi Nation.

How to acknowledge the traditional custodians in our community

There are two ways in which you can acknowledge the Aboriginal traditional custodians of the Tamworth Regional Council Area:

• Welcome to Country
  A Welcome to Country can only be given by an Elder of the local Aboriginal community, unless permission is given to another member of that community. An Elder generally is an Aboriginal person who has the cultural knowledge of their people, either traditional or contemporary knowledge, and has the respect of their community. To make contact with an appropriate Elder or contact the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council.
  
  
• Acknowledgement of Country
  An Acknowledgement of Country can be performed by any non-Aboriginal person or any Aboriginal person who is not originally from that area. When giving an Acknowledgement of Country you should ensure that you acknowledge the Aboriginal clan and/or country for where you are meeting and to acknowledge the descendants of those people who are with us today. Please refer to the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Council protocol. (PDF 533.5KB)
  
  

The Mara Ngali Agreement

In 2026, Tamworth Regional Council became the first Council in Australia to enter a formal partnership with an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.

On May 9 2026, representatives from Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) and Tamworth Regional Council were joined by local community members, for an historic ceremony celebrating the Mara Ngali Partnership Agreement. Mara Ngali, which means our two hands in Gomeroi language, relies on the ongoing commitments of both parties to work together to deliver national Closing the Gap initiatives, such as health, education, employment, economic participation, incarceration, housing, land rights and language, on a local level.

The agreement followed the formal establishment of TACCO in July 2024, a coalition formed to provide a strong, united voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Tamworth LGA.  TACCO’s goal is to strengthen collaboration and partnership to achieve better social, economic and cultural outcomes.

Council will work in partnership with TACCO to create a local-level Closing the Gap Implementation Plan. The plan will include a list of actions which will then go through the process to be adopted into Council’s Framework going forward.

Our Region’s vision for Reconciliation

Council is currently in the progress of updating the Reconciliation Action Plan to encourage greater understanding, acknowledgment, respect, inclusion and opportunities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Tamworth Region. The new Plan will ensure that Councillors, staff and members of the community have an ongoing opportunity to contribute to the Reconciliation process.

Working together with the community, Council hopes the renewed Reconciliation Action Plan will continue to operate as an important tool in creating respectful communities, social inclusion and equality while strengthening the ability of Tamworth to be a safe, healthy, connected and respectful place to live.

Indigenous events and Aboriginal Culture in our Community

NAIDOC WEEK

Each year, over 2000 people come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community during NAIDOC Week.

The NAIDOC activities include the NAIDOC March and Family Fun Day with workshops, performances, craft exhibitions, children’s activities and more.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Each year, Tamworth Regional Council hosts a number of activities relating to Aboriginal culture. These include a formal flag-raising ceremony held during May to celebrate National Reconciliation Week.
Tamworth Regional Council organises a ‘long ’short’ walk with the Elders and a Flag Raising ceremony….
For more information on the Reconciliation Week flag raising ceremony, please contact Council’s Cultural Development Officer on (02) 6767 5205.

For more information on NAIDOC March, and NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day please contact the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council on (02) 6766 9028.

Aboriginal Art