Celebrating families, culture and community at Midawarr Day in Nhulunbuy
Families, children and community members came together in Nhulunbuy recently to celebrate culture, connection and wellbeing at Midawarr Day 2026.
Hosted as a community‑led event, Midawarr Day provided a welcoming space for women, children and families to come together and celebrate culture, while sharing strong messages around health and wellbeing under the theme ‘Yaka Sniffing’.
The Department of Children and Families was proud to participate in the event alongside community partners, including Foster and Kinship Care NT, supporting local engagement and promoting the important role of kinship and foster carers in caring for children and strengthening families.
The day opened with a traditional Bungal, setting the tone for a celebration grounded in culture and community connection. Families enjoyed a range of activities designed to be relaxed and family‑friendly, with cultural performances, children’s games and creative activities creating opportunities for people to connect and spend time together.
More than 20 community stalls were set up throughout the day, offering information, activities and support for families in a welcoming and informal setting. Traditional Owners and Elders shared messages with the community throughout the event, reinforcing the importance of looking after one another and supporting children to grow up strong and safe.
Midawarr Day also provided opportunities for community conversations with people seeking information about kinship and foster care and how they could support children and families in their community.
The Department of Children and Families work alongside communities across the Northern Territory to support families in many different ways – through Child and Family Centres, service referrals, partnerships, Welfare Group responses, and participation in community events that strengthen connection and wellbeing.
Events like Midawarr Day highlight the power of coming together as a community to celebrate culture, share knowledge and support families across the Territory.
