Honouring the Past, Empowering the Future: "50 years of Deadly"
The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly,” celebrates five decades of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, resilience, and leadership. It honours the Elders who fought for recognition, the communities who stayed strong, and the generations who have carried culture forward with pride. This theme also reflects the journey of our Deadly Youth participants, whose growth and determination embody the same spirit of strength that NAIDOC Week recognises.
Through the Deadly Youth program, young people are supported to build confidence, strengthen their cultural identity, and work towards meaningful personal goals. With mentoring, cultural connection, and consistent encouragement, participants learn to stand proudly in who they are and where they come from. Their resilience and commitment to positive change mirror the legacy being celebrated this year — a legacy of deadly leadership and cultural pride.
Mel Taufa (Female mentor)“The girls were so excited to receive a Souths Cares shirt. A symbol of belonging, being seen, and being part of something bigger, representing both their culture and their connection to the Rabbitohs, while recognising the dedication and resilience they’ve shown in the Deadly Youth Program”.
In the lead up to NAIDOC Week, participants were gifted a Souths Cares Indigenous shirt as a recognition of their ongoing efforts. These shirts are more than rewards; they are symbols of belonging and identity. We hope our deadly mentees wear them with pride in their culture, pride in their ancestors, and pride in their own achievements. Each shirt represents the hard work they have put into their personal development and their dedication to shaping a strong future. Their path forward continues a legacy that has been built over decades and will keep growing through them.
Souths Cares will commemorate 2026 NAIDOC on Tuesday 7th July by hosting our annual NAIDOC day of cultural connection, engagement and celebration. The occasion will provide an opportunity for the community to come together, honour this year’s theme, and recognise the enduring strength and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
