NAIDOC Week is upon us again and it presents a fantastic way to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Many unsung Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made huge contributions to Australian society and NAIDOC Week is a way of celebrating those achievements.

The 2010 National NAIDOC Week theme is 'Unsung Heroes - Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way'. 'Unsung heroes' recognises the part played by the quiet achievers in the Indigenous community, both now and in the past. Many of these are carers.

These heroes lead by taking their own paths, and in doing so, helping other Indigenous people set their own direction for the future. The theme asserts Indigenous ownership of 'closing the gap'. The gaps that need to be closed include gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and gaps in knowledge and understanding.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

Local community celebrations during NAIDOC Week are encouraged and often organised by communities, government agencies, local councils, schools and workplaces.

Wherever you live, you can take part in NAIDOC Week celebrations, from July 4 to July 11. To find out about NAIDOC Week activities in your area, visit http://www.naidoc.org.au/index.aspx or ring free call 1800 079 098.