All Stars Game Caps Off NAIDOC

Cherbourg captain Patrick Alberts with the inaugural South Burnett All Stars Shield … Paddy is pictured with special guests for the day, former NRL players Esi Tonga, Zeb Taia, Tyrone Roberts and Willie Tonga

July 18, 2025

NAIDOC Week celebrations in Cherbourg culminated last Saturday with a special game of rugby league which pitched South Burnett Indigenous players from across all local teams with Non-Indigenous players.

The NAIDOC All Stars game was played at Jack O’Chin Oval on Saturday afternoon and was supported by the Willie Tonga Foundation.

Special guests on the day were former NRL players Esi Tonga, Zeb Taia, Tyrone Roberts and Willie Tonga.

The game began evenly with neither team troubling the scorer until midway through the half.

The Non-Indigenous team scored first with a try to Cory Ward but the Indigenous struck back minutes later via Dom Sandow.

At half-time, the Indigenous team was narrowly ahead 12-10 but took off immediately after the break, scoring four quick tries in a row.

The final score was 40-18.

Indigenous tries were scored by Dom Sandow (2), Keith Gadd (2), Elwyn Fewquandie (2) and Killian Klease. George Fisher kicked six conversions.

Non-Indigenous try scorers were Cory Ward, Cory Neal, Connor Sullivan and Iona Varomusu. Torren Anderton kicked one conversion.

Player of the Match was the Indigenous team’s Keith Gadd who was presented with a trophy after the game.

Player of the Match Keith Gadd Jnr was presented with his trophy by Esi Tonga, Zeb Taia, Tyrone Roberts and Willie Tonga

Dom Sandow puts the first points on the board for the Indigenous All Stars

Keith Gadd sprints to the line to the score the first of his two tries for the Indigenous All Stars

The Non-Indigenous All Stars couldn’t get away from the Indigenous team

The two teams gathered together for photos after the game and presentations

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Wakka Wakka Dancers

The Indigenous and Non-Indigenous All Stars teams lined up on the field ahead of their game for a minute’s silence and to watch a performance by the Wakka Wakka Dancers:

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Women’s Rugby League

Cherbourg Hornets played the Bundaberg Tigers on Saturday as a warm-up match to All Stars clash

Earlier in the day, the Cherbourg Hornets took on the Bundaberg Across The Waves Tigers.

At half-time, Cherbourg was ahead 10-6 but after the break, Bundaberg evened the score and then scored three more tries, taking the final tally to 26-20.

The Hornets tried hard to fight back with Bella Barrett scoring twice for Cherbourg in the second half.

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Mini-Mods Carnival

Wondai-Proston Wolves will be hosting their huge Mini-Mods carnival on Saturday at Wondai Sportsground.

Teams from Under 6s through to Under 12s will be playing short, round-robin games with modified rules across nine fields.

First games get under way at 7:00am.

All South Burnett clubs will be fielding teams which will be competing against visiting clubs from across south and central Queensland including Gympie, Hervey Bay, Childers, Maryborough, Burpengary, Gayndah and Rochedale.

More than 200 games have been organised.

Spirit of the Carnival medallions will be awarded by coaches to one player from every team.

Unlike previous years, South Burnett Rugby League competition games have also been scheduled on Mini-Mods weekend, but they will be played at Murgon on Sunday.