November 29, 2013
Look out world … there’s 30 young indigenous men and women from the South Burnett all set to carve out a bright future thanks to their hard work and study.
The 30 former Year 12 students – from Nanango, Murgon and Kingaroy State High Schools, St Mary’s Catholic College and several boarding schools – gathered together in Murgon on Thursday to celebrate their graduation and reflect on their future careers.
They joined with community elders, proud parents, friends and teachers to enjoy dinner and live entertainment.
Murgon Town Hall was packed for the occasion.
The celebration was sponsored by the Aboriginal Community Interest Consultative Committee (ACICC) which distributes Wakka Wakka royalties back into the local community.
Local band Muddy Flats provided the music and the junior Wakka Wakka dancers put on am enthusiastic performance, moving out from the dancing area amongst the tables of diners.
A highlight of the evening was the cutting of the special graduation cake.
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by Marcus Priaulx
Cherbourg mayor Ken Bone was amongst the family members bursting with pride at the celebration.
Two of his granddaughters graduated and he had a nephew about to start at university.
But what truly grabbed Mayor Bone was the number of Indigenous residents now employed in Murgon and other South Burnett towns.
“They’re in the corporate sector, the banks, the fruit shop, IGA …” he said.
“When I was young it was pretty hard to get those sorts of positions around here.
“A lot of our mob tonight received certificates, and that’s good, and I say ‘if there are people in the corporate sector here tonight, please employ more of our mob’.
“It’s deadly to see what’s happening around here.”
Mayor Bone said for too many years Indigenous people had been trained and trained and trained, only to get no employment at the end of it.
“I really hope the corporate sector takes hold of this mob here tonight,” he said.
“I feel very proud.
“When I was young we had to go looking for work and we still have to do that after tonight.
“We want to see our young people move on because their future starts tonight.
“Things are changing for the positive and changing fast.
“We’re grateful for what’s happening in the South Burnett with employers giving our kids a chance.
“Our kids now need to embrace and run with that. They need to appreciate what’s being done for them and go ahead to have great jobs and a great life.
“Our children are our future leaders.”
- Related article: Miranda’s Dreams Are Coming True
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