Next Generation Stars At NAIDOC

On target … the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme was “Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”

July 14, 2025

Anyone who attended a NAIDOC event last week in the South Burnett would have noticed something very important … the number of young people taking part!

The 2025 NAIDOC Week theme was “Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, a theme which was embraced enthusiastically by the local First Nations community.

At Cherbourg, the local Council hosted a celebration and NAIDOC Awards ceremony (see below) in Anzac Memorial Park last Tuesday.

A large crowd gathered to browse the stalls, watch the Wakka Wakka Dancers and enjoy a hot lunch.

“The theme commemorates the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week and focusses on celebrating the strength, vision and legacy of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders,” Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge told the crowd.

“It highlights their role in shaping a brighter future for the community and for the nation. The theme underscores the importance of supporting and empowering the next generation to continue the work of Elders and lead with courage, insight and respect for their cultural heritage.

“It calls on all Australians to recognise and honour the contributions of young First Nations people in various fields, including culture, education, politics and community development.”

Deputy Mayor Wragge said NAIDOC Week was a time for reflection, learning and unity. It was not just a celebration but also a “call to action” to listen to First Nations’ voices and to support self-determination.

Cherbourg Youth Advisory Group (YAG) member Karen Jacobs was also invited to speak about this year’s NAIDOC theme.

“This year’s theme shines a light on us,” Karen said. “It reminds the next generation that we carry the strength passed down by our Elders, the vision to shape a better future and the legacy of our ancestors who fought so hard for our rights and culture.”

NB. NAIDOC Week is 50 years old but the roots of the event go back much further. The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee was formed in 1957 to promote National Aborigines Day – a day of protest that stretched back to the 1940s. In 1991, the committee’s name was changed to NAIDOC to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and cultures. In 1975, the single-day event grew into a week of celebrations and reflection, usually centred around a special theme.

Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and Cherbourg Council CEO Chatur Zala watch as Aunty Mavis Cobbo and Aunty Jeanette Brown cut the NAIDOC cake

Cherbourg Council staff member Taris Meehan with Jeffrey Dynevor

Aunty Joan Nielsen, from Goomeri, with Aunty Andrea Collins (who did the opening prayer) and Aunty Jeanette Brown

Llew O’Brien said NAIDOC Week was a special time for all Australians but especially the people of Cherbourg who have achieved so much over the past 50 years

Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge, former Mayor Arnold Murray, Llew O’Brien and Chatur Zala

There was a long queue of people lining up to enjoy the free hot lunch

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NAIDOC Awards

Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge, Cr Carla Fisher, Cr Tom Langton and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien handed out the 2025 Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council NAIDOC Week Awards to community members:

Special Achievement Awards: Cathryn Sullivan and Keith Gadd. Also nominated were Melissa Stewart, Rashonda Murray, Chrissy Beresford and Derek Gadd

Encouragement Awards: Julian Saltner Jnr and Karen Jacobs

Volunteer Of The Community Award: Aunty Dorothy Bird

Organisation Serving the Cherbourg Community Award: Cherbourg Wellbeing

Youth In The Community Award: Koby Douglas

Honorary Award: Sam Murray

Person Of The Community: Elizabeth O’Chin. Also nominated were Jackson Cobbo, Derek Gadd, Sam Murray, Gene Barrett and Ken Gyemore

Person Of The Community Award: Elizabeth O’Chin … with Cr Carla Fisher and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien

Special Achievement Award …
Cathryn Sullivan

Encouragement Award … Karen Jacobs with Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge

Encouragement Award: Julian Saltner Jnr with Llew O’Brien and Cr Fisher

Volunteer Of The Community Award … Aunty Dorothy Bird with Deputy Mayor Wragge and Cr Fisher

Youth In The Community Award … Koby Douglas, centre, with Deputy Mayor Wragge and Llew O’Brien

Organisation Serving The Cherbourg Community Award … Megan Parton and Cassandra Bond accepted the trophy from Deputy Mayor Wragge and Cr Tom Langton on behalf of “Cherbourg Wellbeing”

Honorary Award winner … Sam Murray with his son, Sam Murray Jnr

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Wakka Wakka Dancers

The Wakka Wakka Dancers included a large group of young children in their performance at Cherbourg, much to the delight of their relatives in the crowd!