December 10, 2025
Eight Reconciliation Benches – unveiled at Cherbourg in August – have now been positioned around the South Burnett region.
The street benches were commissioned by the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council in a gesture of Reconciliation.
The benches are located at:
- Cherbourg – The Ration Shed
- Murgon – QEII Park
- Proston – Outside Proston Hall
- Wondai – Art Gallery
- Kingaroy – O’Neill Square
- Kingaroy – Glendon Street shared zone
- Nanango – Ringsfield House
- Blackbutt – Next to the skate park
The benches were made at the Cherbourg Joinery and decorated by local artist Maurice Mickelo.
A unique artwork was created for each seat.
They also feature a QR code that is linked to both the South Burnett and Cherbourg councils’ websites.
“The Reconciliation Chairs are a deeply meaningful recognition of our first Indigenous business owner in Murgon, Tyrone Murray, who felt the hurt and unfairness when the chair outside his barbershop was removed,” Cherbourg Mayor Bruce Simpson said.
“Today, these chairs stand not just as symbols across the South Burnett but as reminders of unity, forgiveness, equity and the social change we are committed to. They call us to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, in the true spirit of reconciliation.”
Funding for the project was secured in a joint grant by the Cherbourg and South Burnett councils.
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