{"id":238681,"date":"2019-07-02T21:20:29","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T11:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=238681"},"modified":"2020-07-19T13:59:50","modified_gmt":"2020-07-19T03:59:50","slug":"old-and-new-ways-celebrate-naidoc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/07\/02\/old-and-new-ways-celebrate-naidoc\/","title":{"rendered":"Old And New Ways Celebrate NAIDOC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Twin sisters Ruby and Kiara Lampton, 7, from Kingaroy, with mum Angela Williams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 2, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kingaroy’s new-look NAIDOC celebrations went off in style in Memorial Park on Monday with an exciting mix of the traditional and the new.<\/p>\n

This is the third year a NAIDOC celebration has been held in the town, but this year a new committee made up of South Burnett Indigenous residents organised the activities instead of the South Burnett Regional Council.<\/p>\n

The not-for-profit South Burnett Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (SBATSIC) organised a day of fun activities, including a talent quest which attracted some eager young entrants who sang, rapped and danced.<\/p>\n

SBATSIC secretary Val McGrath, from Blackbutt, said that for a first attempt, the day had been very good.<\/p>\n

Fellow committee member Allan Gill, from Durong, said to see people still sitting around and chatting after the main activities had finished was terrific.<\/p>\n

He was full of praise for Val and Kingaroy’s Jocelyn Clancy for all the work they had done.<\/p>\n

“Val and Jocelyn were the ones that got the idea about it and then spent two years trying to get it off the ground,” Allan said.<\/p>\n

“Next year it will be even bigger!”<\/p>\n

Val and her husband Noel also provided musical entertainment on the day.<\/p>\n

The event began with an historic ceremony: the first time the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have been raised at the Kingaroy War Memorial.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was also a smoking ceremony conducted by James Doyle, traditional dancing, and speeches by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, Mayor Keith Campbell and Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff.<\/p>\n

And then there was the line-dancing … and pool noodle whirring!<\/p>\n

Compere for the day was Bevan Costello.<\/p>\n

More than 20 stalls lined the grounds, offering everything from arts and crafts and food to raising bushfire safety awareness.<\/p>\n

The Big Buddy program from Dalby brought over their coffee van, which proved very popular.<\/p>\n

The judges had a hard task with the talent quest but awarded prizes to Dean Brady (1st), Emily Cassells (2nd) and Rashida Scott (3rd).<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NAIDOC celebrations will be held at Cherbourg next Tuesday (July 9) from 10:00am to 2:00pm in Memorial Park (opposite The Ration Shed historical complex).<\/strong><\/p>\n

The celebrations are a joint effort by The Ration Shed, Cherbourg Council and Cherbourg Hospital.<\/p>\n

There will be children’s activities, as well as entertainment and a barbecue.<\/p>\n

Council’s Community awards will also be presented.<\/p>\n

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