Events

NAIDOC Gala Events - 2017 to 2025

Maximum Capacity Seating at all events

Increase in cultural dance groups and increase in sponsorship

Increase in VIP Attendance - Qld Labor Senators, HMAS Navy Commanders and Navy OICs, Assistant Minister for Tourism Development, Leichardt Federal Member of Parliament, Cairns Regional Council Mayoress Claire Manning, Cairns Regional Council Deputy Mayor, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (2021-2023), State Member for Cook 2021-2025, and other hierarchy.

Our signature events and programs bring businesses together from various sectors, performers from different cultural backgrounds and guests from various corporate, government and community levels. Our signature events and programs bring hope for the people of the Cairns Region, employment, financial support to local Cultural Dance Groups, and trust in our ability to showcase talents.

"Thank you for your kind invitation to Commander Alfonso Santos, Commanding Officer HMAS Cairns and his wife, Mrs Eden Santos to attend the 2023 NAIDOC Dinner on Thursday 06 July 2023 commencing at 5.00pm. Commander Santos and Mrs Santos would be honoured to attend".  - Executive Assistant to Commanding Officer HMAS Cairns

"Last year I attended Donna’s NAIDOC event along with CMDR Tandy, Sandra and my partner, it was an enlightening experience. It was a great event and included some great networking opportunities etc.. Donna promoted the NIDP and Navy in general throughout the evening on the big screen".

HMAS Cairns - Chief Petty Officer, Navy Headquarters, HMAS Cairns

"I hope you’re well and I wanted to reach out of course, following last week’s NAIDOC Gala dinner/tribute to say another huge thank you.  It was a fantastic event, and I know my colleagues felt the same on the night, it was honestly unreal. Was great to finally meet in person also and the tribute for Torres was lovely, I know I got a huge kick out of the pictures shared in the slideshows". - CSIRO Indigenous Science and Engagement Program

In 2017, Dee's Deportment, Grooming and Self Care introduced a 5 Star NAIDOC Gala Event which was a sell out event at the Pullman International Hotel in Cairns.

In 2019, Dee's Deportment, Grooming and Self Care partnered with the Shangri-la Hotel The Marina to host 5 Star NAIDOC Gala Dinners. 

Our annual Gala Events continue to promote and support local businesses, cultural dance groups (Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, African, Latino, Arakanese, PNG, etc), multi-culturalism, communities and disadvantaged groups. As we passionately and respectfully promote our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures on the catwalk at our annual Gala Events, people of all walks of life from across the region, state-wide and nationally come together to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, customs, tradition, dance and music in a friendly, welcoming  and relaxing environment.

Our annual signature Gala Events have attracted dignitaries nationwide including Queensland State Premier's Office, Queensland State Labor Senators (2017-2022), local Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Mayoress and Councillors, Federal and State Members of Parliament, the Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, HMAS Navy Commanding Officers, Department of Defence Recruiting, and other Dignitaries.   

In 2025, Dee's Deportment, Grooming and Self Care celebrated 8 years of delivering 5 Star sell out NAIDOC Gala Events and showcased cultural dancing and Indigenous fashion on the runway in the grand ballroom at the Pullman International Hotel, Cairns, as well as Shangri-la Hotel in Cairns.

On the 9th July 2025 at our NAIDOC Gala Dinner, with the support and valuable sponsorship from CSIRO, a Tribute was presented in honour of our beloved Torres Strait Islander brother Torres Webb, who we lost in February 2025.

Dee's Deportment, Grooming and Self Care wish to thank each and every Guest, Team Member, Sponsor, Dance Group, Supplier, VIP and Contributor to our NAIDOC Gala Events over the 8 Years of Hosting our Signature Events in Cairns. 

In 2026, Dee's Deportment, Grooming and Self Care will no longer host NAIDOC Gala Events, however, we are excited to confirm that we will be bringing something NEW and extraordinary to you all, never seen before, at a 5 Star Level.