On Wednesday, the NAIDOC Committee announced its events for 2018.

Chair of the committee Aunty Lyn Warren is thrilled to see the more people and more organisations get involved in the celebrations.

Read more: ‘What’s on’: 2018 NAIDOC celebrations in Bendigo

“It’s just a fantastic time, everyone just comes together,” she said.

“Every year we get new people come on board. Once it used to only go for a week, but now it goes for a couple of weeks.

For Aunty Lyn, the event is a chance for everyone to come together, and to celebrate where Indigenous culture is in 2018.

When she sees the Australian Aboriginal Flag raised each year, she is filled with pride.

“We’ve had a lot of bad times, but this is a celebration of the good times,” she said.

“It’s a real good celebration of our mob and where we are today, and what the achievements are. I think it’s fantastic.”

This year’s theme “because of her, we can” celebrates the contribution of Indigenous women to communities and Australian society.

Read more: Aboriginal heritage celebrated during NAIDOC week 2017

The NAIDOC program is packed this year, with events over nearly three weeks.

NAIDOC celebrations will kick off with a dinner and awards night, run by the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative. Several Art exhibitions will take place throughout, featuring the work of Indigenous artists.

NAIDOC week will officially launch with a flag raising and civic reception hosted by the City of greater Bendigo on Monday July 9, at the Town Hall.

Other highlights include a Children’s Day, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture inspired activities, traditional food tasting and cultural performances.