It could be easy to overlook when every day, week and month seems to be dedicated to one cause or another.

But despite its long history, NAIDOC Week should continue to stand out as an important occasion on the Australian calendar.

The arrival of Europeans in Australia heralded a long, deliberate effort to destroy the cultures, languages and communities of the first people to call this country home.

Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Rodney Carter said the introduction of new diseases also fractured the transmission of knowledge from generation to generation, particularly as elders – the gatekeepers of knowledge – were especially hard hit.

Despite all this, Aboriginal people have maintained a hold on their culture, a testament to the strength of their spirituality and connection to country.

NAIDOC Week presents an opportunity for Aboriginal people to educate the younger generations and ignite pride and passion for their cultural history, helping mend some of the damage caused in the past.

The week also gives the wider community the chance to learn more about Aboriginal culture, traditions and customs.

While we have progressed as a society in regard to racism, we still have a way to go; this education is key to breaking down the ignorance that causes such discrimination, leading to a more inclusive, harmonious society.

Learning more about Aboriginal people’s beliefs and perspectives on the land and its creation can also only lead to a deeper appreciation and gratitude for the country in which we live.

There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate and learn this NAIDOC Week – the local Aboriginal community is incredibly passionate and has organised a range of events.

People like Mr Carter are working hard to preserve the cultures and traditions of their ancestors and ensure they continue to be passed down through the generations in the years to come.

NAIDOC Week is one way all people, Aboriginal or otherwise, can come together to support such efforts and ensure Australia does not lose this unique and irreplaceable part of its cultural heritage.

- Natalie Croxon, journalist