Artist Robert Langton Jnr helps Nanango resident Claudia Brust make her mark on an artwork which will be displayed by the South Burnett Regional Council
July 16, 2025
Art, music and dancing filled Kingaroy’s Memorial Park last week for the annual NAIDOC Week celebration of culture and history.
Visitors were invited to add their handprints to a colourful canvas which was later presented by artist Robert Langton Jnr to the South Burnett Regional Council.
NAIDOC was first marked in Cherbourg in the 1990s and at that time it was an act of defiance to fly the red, black and yellow flag.
But in 2025, both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags hang proudly on stage in Kingaroy.
The Wakka Wakka Dancers performed to great applause, and cross-cultural sharing was everywhere.
Uncle Eric Law AM, who did the Welcome To Country, reflected on the changes when he noted that when NAIDOC Week began 50 years ago, it was all about sadness and sorrow.
These days there was still sadness and sorrow “but we manage it better when we manage it together as one”.
Another painting featured on the day was created by Robert Langton and his sister Robyn for the Yurika “dark fibre” project which is bringing superfast internet access to Kingaroy. A building in Roger Nunn Place in Glendon Street will be “wrapped” in a print made from the artwork.
Kingaroy’s NAIDOC event was organised by CRAICCHS (the Cherbourg Regional Aboriginal & Islander Community Controlled Health Services).
South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff and Cherbourg Mayor Bruce SimpsonArtists Robyn and Robert Langton are carrying on the tradition of their late father, Robert “Rocko” Langton … the pair created an artwork which will be turned into a wrap for a Yurika building in Roger Nunn Place in Glendon StreetTony Riley, from Yurika, with Robert Langton, Mayor Kathy Duff, Robyn Langton and Mayor Bruce Simpson and the artwork which is being turned into a wrapGround Crew were playing some well-known Australian tunes, including songs by Mop & The Dropouts and Warumpi BandDeputy Mayor Jane Erkens with her great-niece Sophie Dean and niece Julie Dean, from NambourTy Webb-Davis, Cindy Trezise and Bailee McGrath, from Kaarakin Care Support Services in MurgonSenior Constable Danii Scheu, from Cherbourg Police, with Cr Danita Potter and Police Liaison Officer, Cr Tom LangtonCr Danita Potter with Nicole Kimlin, from CRAICCHSCr Daniel Weazel conducted the smoking ceremonyChrissy Bond was broadcasting live from Memorial Park for Cherbourg RadioCr Ros Heit with Uncle Robert ClancyUncle Eric Law AM, who did the Welcome To Country, with CRAICCHS CEO Jessica Scott … earlier in the week Uncle Eric was named the Australian Catholic Elder of the Year for NAIDOC 2025The handpainting preceded the hand prints on the South Burnett Regional Council’s latest artworkA large crowd gathered to listen to the music and watch the Wakka Wakka Dancers
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Wakka Wakka Dancers
It was a busy NAIDOC Week for the Wakka Wakka Dancers but the group had a lot of young helpers performing with them!
Cr Daniel Weazel led the Wakka Wakka Dancers out to the performance spaceThe 2025 NAIDOC Week theme was “Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” … and the next generation was definitely in action at the Kingaroy celebrationWilly Crow, 14, was another of the young dancers performing with the Wakka Wakka DancersTyrone Murray dancing in Kingaroy … it was also a big week for Tyrone who won the Community Award at the 2025 Brisbane NAIDOC Ball
