Paulani Harrison-Law, from Murgon, and Alkira Bowie, from Brisbane, were two of the models displaying Kira-Beth fashion label designs
July 8, 2015
NAIDOC celebrations at Cherbourg drew a huge crowd to the Ration Shed Museum complex on Tuesday, eager to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements.
They were also keen to watch traditional dancing, live music … and a less traditional but very popular fashion parade!
The team from the Ration Shed organised the celebrations, which were even bigger than previous years’ efforts.
The theme for 2015 NAIDOC was “We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate”
The day not only enjoyed strong support from Cherbourg and Murgon residents, but attracted visitors from Gympie, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Community Elders gathered on the verandah of the Ration Shed to enjoy traditional tucker, including johnny cakes, jewfish and porcupine (echidna).
And there were also heaps of activities for children to enjoy.
Garry Sippel, from Dreamtime Reptiles, brought along snakes, a baby crocodile and a goanna for children to touch.
Elsewhere there was face-painting, weaving, art and dancing.
A special guest on the music stage was Neil Murray, an original member of the Warumpi Band. Neil sang some old Warumpi favourites, including “Jailanguru Pakarnu” and “Fitzroy Crossing”, as well as his more recent songs.
Cherbourg’s own Muddy Flats band accompanied Neil in a version of “My Island Home”.
The crowd favourite on the day was definitely the fashion parade, featuring Cherbourg girls modelling outfits designed and made by Brisbane-based Salma Bowie from Kira-Beth Fashion.
Also popular were the dancing displays by Kingaroy State High School’s SistaGirls, the Barambah Dancers and the Children’s Circle led by Torres Strait Islander dancers from Brisbane.
Inside the Ration Shed Museum, visitors had the opportunity to watch short films and inspect displays.
NAIDOC Week is held across Australia in the first full week of July.
Cr Kathy Duff got stuck into the spirit of the celebrations … trying out a witchetty grub
Aunty Ada Simpson enjoying the Elders’ lunch
Kathy Gadd with some plates of porcupine
Latoiyah Fisher, Shontae Saltner and Lakeisha Murray were having fun at the NAIDOC celebrationsMichael Monk and announcer Chrissy Bond, from UsMob Radio, showing off their new shirts and marquee … the artwork was done by Elaine Chambers who also designed the 2015 NAIDOC Week national poster
Bronson Aubrey, 11, and Pheona Combo, 10
Grace Stanley with granddaughter Grace Stanley
The young models with some of the Kira-Beth Fashions’ range designed by Salma Bowie, second from rightThe last hurrah for the former Barambah PaCE program was the distribution of 2000 books donated recently … former manager Marcus Priaulx, at back, returned to Cherbourg for the day to help with the distribution of the free books; he is pictured with Talani, Michael, Cameron, Jaelan and Christian FisherThe Torres Strait Islander Dance Ring allowed lots of young children to learn some traditional movesTorres Strait Islander Frieda Day came up to Cherbourg from Brisbane to help the community celebrate NAIDOC with singing and dancing
Uncle Rory Boney, who was presented with a Council award, sang some Gospel music
Muddy Flats’ singer Rocko Langton with Neil Murray, ex-Warumpi Band
Muddy Flats sang some old rock’n’roll and country favourites as well as a number of special Cherbourg songsDenaysha Purcell, 8, and Averil Davidson, from Murgon, were enjoying listening to the live music
John Brady, from Brisbane, was interested in The Ration Shed Museum’s Timeline display
Taygan Tucker, from Qld Health, was doing face-painting at the nearby Health Expo
The Barambah Dancers entertained the crowd with a string of dancesTyrone Murray led the young Barambah dancers in a performance of traditional dancingKingaroy State High School students, performing as Kingaroy SistaGirl, danced to Tiddas’ “Inanay” and Yothu Yindi’s “Djapana”
Dee Shaw, Murgon, and chaplain Sue Algate were manning the BlueCare stand
Peter Bligh, Dept of Child Safety, was helping children paint boomerangs and other shapes
4UM’s Chrissy Bond, station manager Jeanette Brown and Michael MonkDreamtime Reptiles had a big crowd around their enclosure … they had various snakes, a baby crocodile and a goanna on show
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Video highlights by Cherbourg Radio 4UM Us Mob
NAIDOC 2015 at the Ration Shed Museum – ENJOY this highlights package we’ve quickly put together for your enjoyment – all set to NEIL MURRAY singing with our very own MUDDY FLATS band – watch this space more videos to come :) –(NOTE – depending on your internet connection – you may need to put this video on pause and let it load before playing so as to enjoy uninterupted)
