NAIDOC Week 2025, held from Sunday 6 to Sunday 13 July, is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025 at Westfield North Lakes, an artwork was commissioned from local Indigenous artist Goma Conlon, Murridjarn, in collaboration with students at The Y Schools Queensland (Moreton Bay Campus). View the artwork on display near Chemist Warehouse from Saturday 5 - Sunday 3 August. Learn more about the artist and the artwork below.

'Our Walk (Ngungangu Yananga)'

By artist: Coma Conlon

The artwork has three panels represent the past, present and the future - working together in unity to create change and leave a legacy for the next generation. The circles represent communities, the boomerang like shapes surrounding the circles represent people coming together. The white dotted group going through the centre represents the milky way we all stand under and the path with footprints represent the journey of Indigenous people of many tribes moving across Country. The many dotted areas in various colours represents the land hills and rivers around us.

Left panel
Representing communities of the past, it represents Indigenous peoples history and strength whilst being moved from traditional lands and scattered across the country into missions or reserves under government control. The impacts on Indigenous people during this time where numerous and continued through generations.

The centre circle represents a time where individuals or small groups came together to stand for justice and make a change to the negative impacts that faced our peoples. The likes of Neville Bonner, Sir Doug Nichols and Charles Perkins, to name a few, among many leaders who found the strength to make change and stand for what is right and just.

Middle panel
Represents the past 50 years, honouring the past whilst coming together in unity following in the steps of our forefathers and mothers. These 50 years have seen change and vision from many individuals and groups. The centre circles represent these groups coming together to make change. These groups played a pivotal role to make changes in education, health and justice. With these changes we have witnessed a rise in Indigenous business, increase in higher education and greater health outcomes. The number of groups and individuals continue to grow in number across the nation as we shift change the future. The two community groups shown half on the middle panel and half on the right panel signify the cross over into the next generation, handing the reigns to the leaders of the future.

Right Panel
Represents the legacy we leave now and as we go on into the future. These groups and communities continue to be reminded of history and strength of the past elders but knowing that they are given the responsibility of working together for the continuance of greater outcomes and towards self-determination.

About the artist: Goma Conlon

Goma Conlon, Murridjarn, is a proud local Aboriginal man and a passionate artist with over 30 years of experience. With strong bloodline connections to the Kullilli, Koa, Wakka Wakka, Kabi Kabi, Kangalou, Gamilaroi and Gungalidda peoples, Goma draws from a rich lineage of storytellers and creators.

Art runs deep in his family, and his creative journey has been guided by the wisdom of his grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and older siblings. Goma is committed to sharing this cultural knowledge with future generations. Through murals, workshops, storytelling and cultural education, he not only honors his heritage but also empowers young people to carry it forward.
Goma’s work is a living legacy - one that connects community, culture and Country.