Celebrating NAIDOC Week
Dates: 30th Jun 2025 – 11th Jul 2025
This NAIDOC Week, we reflect on the theme ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. We celebrate the achievements of the past and the bright future ahead, empowered by the legacy of our ancestors.
This year, we have partnered with local Dharug artist, Christopher Tobin, to create a bespoke artwork for Parramatta Square titled Place of the Eels.
Place of the Eels Lobby Installation
Location: 4 Parramatta Square
Place of the Eels by Christopher Tobin honours Parramatta - or Burramatta - as the home of the eels, and is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to care for Country and the creatures who live alongside us.
In the spirit of this year’s NAIDOC theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,’ we reflect on the Dharug people's enduring knowledge systems and the importance of passing these stories on.
Tobin explains that the ‘barra’ (eel) was an important food source for the local Baramadagal. Each Autumn, the lagoons around Parramatta provided abundant food as mature eels prepared for their 5,000km journey to the Coral Sea to give birth to the next generation. These seasonal gatherings drew Aboriginal groups from across the region together to share knowledge, celebrate culture, and build a legacy.
The Place of the Eels installation is a tribute to that strength and vision, and a reminder that by honouring First Nations knowledge and stories, we help shape a stronger future for future generations.
Visit the installation in 4 Parramatta Square from Monday, 30 June.
About the Artist
Christopher Tobin is a respected Dharug artist, educator and cultural knowledge holder based in Western Sydney. For over 35 years, he has dedicated himself to preserving and sharing Dharug culture through art, storytelling, and community engagement.
Tobin's art is deeply rooted in Dharug traditions and often incorporates natural materials like ochre. He creates temporary artworks on trees and bark, symbolising survival, connection, and community strength. His works are featured in public installations across Western Sydney.
Through his multifaceted roles as an artist, educator, and cultural custodian, Tobin continues to inspire and educate communities about the rich heritage and enduring presence of the Dharug people.