Five years of celebrating culture and creativity: NAIDOC Week at Coastline Bank

For the past five years, Coastline Bank has proudly supported NAIDOC Week through a deeply meaningful initiative: hosting annual First Nations art exhibitions at our Port Macquarie and Kempsey Art Hubs.

These exhibitions are more than just a showcase of talent - they’re a celebration of culture, connection, and country, and an opportunity for our community to stand together in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their stories, and their strength.

A platform for local voices

Since launching our first NAIDOC exhibition in 2021, our Art Hubs have welcomed both emerging and established artists from across the Mid North Coast. Each brings their own unique style, perspective, and story to the space.

This year, we’re proud to welcome Colleena Smith, recipient of the Hastings Valley scholarship, to the Port Macquarie Art Hub. Known for her evocative works that explore identity and connection to land, Colleena’s pieces are set to be a standout feature of the 2025 exhibition.

We’re also thrilled to support Keisha Mitchell, the Manning Valley scholarship winner. A proud Biripi woman from Taree, Keisha has a passion for photography, film, and storytelling. Her upcoming photographic exhibition celebrates the enduring legacy of the Biripi people, honouring the strength, culture and dreams of her ancestors. Her work will be on display at the Manning Regional Art Gallery from 1–12 July 2025 and at Yalawanyi Ganya from 14 July–1 August 2025.

Supporting creative growth

Through the Coastline Bank Community Foundation, we’re providing each scholarship winner with $1,000 to support their artistic development and help them share their work with a wider audience.

It’s one of the many ways we’re investing in the creative future of our region and recognising the vital role First Nations artists play in preserving and celebrating culture.

Showcasing five years of powerful artwork

To mark this milestone, we’re sharing a selection of artworks that have been featured in our NAIDOC Week exhibitions over the past five years. These pieces are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of our region and the stories still being told through contemporary art today.

Each artwork featured reflects the artist’s personal journey and deep connection to Country, community, and culture. We invite you to take a moment to explore and reflect.

An ongoing commitment

Coastline Bank is committed to building respectful, meaningful relationships with First Nations communities and continuing to support spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture can be celebrated, shared, and honoured.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to using our platforms to support truth-telling, reconciliation and creative expression - not just during NAIDOC Week, but all year round.

Visit our Port Macquarie Art Hub this NAIDOC Week to view the 2025 exhibition, featuring works by Colleena Smith, and celebrate First Nations art, culture and community.

For more information about exhibiting, visit the Our Spaces webpage.

🎨 Banner artwork: Journey and Land by Colleena Smith.