(NAIDOC Week 8-15 July 2007) Theme: '50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak' Agencies are advised that from the 8th to 15th July 2007 will mark the 50th Anniversary of NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal & Islander Day Observance Committee).This years NAIDOC theme is '50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak'. NAIDOC Week celebrations continue to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the opportunity to celebrate and share their culture and heritage with the broader Australian community. Agencies are encouraged to support and release Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate in NAIDOC Week events, as set out in Chapter 6 (6-19.14.6) of the NSW Government Personnel Handbook: 'A staff member who identifies as an Indigenous Australian shall be granted up to one days special leave per year to enable the staff member to participate in the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Commemoration Celebrations. Leave can be taken at anytime during NAIDOC Week, or in the weeks leading up to and after NAIDOC week as negotiated between the supervisor and staff member'. Each year an increasing number of schools, government agencies, local councils and workplaces participate in celebrating NAIDOC events. To find out more about NAIDOC visit http://www.naidoc.org.au  As a mark of respect and support agencies are also encouraged to fly Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the NSW Flag on their buildings during NAIDOC week. Information on the protocol on flying both flags can be found on this website under > State Protocol of Flags and Emblems Other dates of significance and celebration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in 2007 also include: Reconciliation Week, 27 May - 3 June. The national theme for this year is: 'Their Spirit Still Shines'. Further information about Reconciliation Week can be accessed via the following link http://www.reconciliation.org.au  On 27 May Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will mark the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Federal Referendum. This historical landmark event returned a 90.77% YES vote by Australians to remove two prejudicial references to Aboriginal people from the Australian Constitution: Sections 51 and 127. More informaiton on the anniversary of the Referendum can be accessed via the following link http://www.reconciliation.org.au  A decade since the tabling of the Bringing Them Home Report on the Stolen Generations (see http://www.nsdc.org.au ); and National Sorry Day is commemorated on 26 May each year by many Indigenous and Non Indigenous Australians http://www.nsdc.org.au Enquires regarding NAIDOC Week or special leave entitlements should be directed to Julie Moore on (02) 9228 3549.  C GellatlyDirector General