March 11, 2019
A new Indigenous corporation will organise Kingaroy’s NAIDOC event in July, taking over from the South Burnett Regional Council which hosted the past two celebrations.
The not-for-profit South Burnett Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation has been formed by Indigenous residents who live in the southern half of the region.
Members met at the 1913 Council Chambers in Kingaroy last Thursday to begin planning the NAIDOC event.
Secretary Val McGrath said some people found it difficult to travel to Cherbourg to attend NAIDOC activities.
“Cherbourg organises really great NAIDOC Week celebrations,” Val said.
“We want to do the same in Kingaroy for the benefit of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who can’t make it to Cherbourg for whatever reason.
“We’re not in competition with Cherbourg. Instead, we’re here to see if we can help make NAIDOC even bigger.”
Val said the group intended to consult Cherbourg Elders about their plans.
They also planned to invite Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington to attend their next meeting.
NAIDOC Week will run nationally from July 7-14.
