July 7, 2026
A big crowd turned out at Cherbourg’s Anzac Memorial Park on Tuesday to celebrate “50 Years Of Deadly”, the 2026 theme for NAIDOC Week.
Cherbourg residents mingled with hundreds of visitors at the annual celebration of arts, culture and survival.
There was live music, food, stalls and the presentation of Cherbourg Council’s Community Awards (see below).
The “Person In The Community Award” was presented to former Council CEO Warren Collins.
A highlight of the morning was a performance by the Wakka Wakka Dancers.
Cherbourg Elders were also recognised with a special lunch on the deck at The Ration Shed.
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Community Awards
Cherbourg Council’s annual NAIDOC Community Acknowledgement Awards were presented during a special ceremony.
The unique trophies were decorated by local artist Robert Langton.
And the winners (with their citations) were:
- Organisation Serving The Community – Council’s Operations Team. The team goes above and beyond the scope of their contracted roles and sometimes out of working hours. On top of day-to-day operations of Council duties, the ops team is involved in disaster management, event management, funeral arrangements, assisting Council-led community events and much more. Also nominated were: Containers Refund Point Kingaroy; and Cherbourg Wellbeing.
- Sports Person In The Community – Johnathon Carlo. Johnathon was nominated because of his success in the rodeo arena. Bullriding is a very high risk and challenging sport and Johnathon always gives 100 per cent. He has had success riding in local and State rodeos and is ready to take on the world, travelling to Texas to take part in the PBR tour. Also nominated was Bella Barrett.
- Youth In The Community – Alexis & Merna Landers. Alexis and Merna are both very active members of the community, often volunteering their time with junior league, community events and special occasions happening in and around the community. Alexis was also elected vice-captain at Murgon State High School this year. Also nominated was Ian Saltner Jnr.
- Special Achievement Award – Aunty Mary Blair.Aunty Mary has served for 40 years at Cherbourg State School; 40 years of commitment and support to the education of the children of Cherbourg is an enormous achievement.
- Recognition Award – Cemetery Gang. Council recognises and acknowledges the ongoing work by the works crew who prepare the cemetery for sorry business: Aaron Rosenwarne, Donald Anderson, Kerrod Burke, Jarrabah Davidson, Coby Sullivan, Jackson Cobbo, Derek Gadd, Joseph Duncan Weazel, Robert Chermside, Charlie Bond, Lyndon Hopkins, Shelton Bell and Preston Rewald.
- Person In The Community – Warren Collins Snr. Warren receives this award for his 36 years of service at Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, including 35 years as CEO. Warren’s commitment to local government and passion for his people and community is truly inspiring. Warren also played an important role in junior rugby league in Cherbourg, volunteering for 25-plus years.
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SES Launch
The NAIDOC celebrations were also an opportunity to relaunch an SES presence in Cherbourg.
There was a display of equipment and an invitation to Cherbourg residents to sign up.
Anyone interested should contact CEO Chatur Zala at the Council Chambers building.
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Photo Gallery
The Wakka Wakka Dancers are always very popular when they perform … and for NAIDOC Week they had some very special little helpers!
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About The 2026 Theme (from the NAIDOC website)
For five decades, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices of our communities — steady, unapologetic, and proud. Each year, its themes have called for truth, celebrated culture, honoured resistance, and reminded the nation of who we are.
Fifty Years of Deadly marks a milestone. It’s a tribute to the people who built this movement. The Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.
NAIDOC has always been more than a week — it’s a platform, a protest, a celebration and a statement of survival.
This moment is about looking back at the stories, the marches, the languages, the art, the leadership. At the strength it took to get here. It’s about recognising how far we’ve come, not by chance, but because generations of people refused to be silenced.
It’s also about the here and now, who we are today. Grounded in culture. Strong in our identity. Leading change across every field, from health and education to media, business, and the arts. We’re telling our own stories, in our own way, on our own terms.
And it’s about the future. The next 50 years. The young ones growing up proud. The return of language. The return to Country. The fight for justice continuing with new tools, new voices, and the same fire.
Fifty Years of Deadly is a marker, not just of time passed, but of the momentum still building. It’s proof of what our people build when culture leads and community comes first. NAIDOC belongs to mob. It always has.
We honour what came before by continuing the work.
This is our story. This is our celebration. This is our future.
Still deadly. Always.
