{"id":362555,"date":"2025-07-14T17:04:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T07:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=362555"},"modified":"2025-07-15T19:19:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T09:19:51","slug":"next-generation-stars-at-naidoc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/07\/14\/next-generation-stars-at-naidoc\/","title":{"rendered":"Next Generation Stars At NAIDOC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On target … the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme was “Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 14, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anyone who attended a NAIDOC event last week in the South Burnett would have noticed something very important … the number of young people taking part!<\/p>\n

The 2025 NAIDOC Week theme was “Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, a theme which was embraced enthusiastically by the local First Nations community.<\/p>\n

At Cherbourg, the local Council hosted a celebration and NAIDOC Awards ceremony (see below) in Anzac Memorial Park last Tuesday.<\/p>\n

A large crowd gathered to browse the stalls, watch the Wakka Wakka Dancers and enjoy a hot lunch.<\/p>\n

“The theme commemorates the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week and focusses on celebrating the strength, vision and legacy of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders,” Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge told the crowd.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“It highlights their role in shaping a brighter future for the community and for the nation. The theme underscores the importance of supporting and empowering the next generation to continue the work of Elders and lead with courage, insight and respect for their cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

“It calls on all Australians to recognise and honour the contributions of young First Nations people in various fields, including culture, education, politics and community development.”<\/p>\n

Deputy Mayor Wragge said NAIDOC Week was a time for reflection, learning and unity.\u00a0 It was not just a celebration but also a “call to action” to listen to First Nations’ voices and to support self-determination.<\/p>\n

Cherbourg Youth Advisory Group (YAG) member Karen Jacobs was also invited to speak about this year’s NAIDOC theme.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“This year’s theme shines a light on us,” Karen said.\u00a0 “It reminds the next generation that we carry the strength passed down by our Elders, the vision to shape a better future and the legacy of our ancestors who fought so hard for our rights and culture.”<\/p>\n

NB.\u00a0 NAIDOC Week is 50 years old but the roots of the event go back much further. The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee was formed in 1957 to promote National Aborigines Day – a day of protest that stretched back to the 1940s. In 1991, the committee’s name was changed to NAIDOC to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and cultures. In 1975, the single-day event grew into a week of celebrations and reflection, usually centred around a special theme.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and Cherbourg Council CEO Chatur Zala watch as Aunty Mavis Cobbo and Aunty Jeanette Brown cut the NAIDOC cake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cherbourg Council staff member Taris Meehan with Jeffrey Dynevor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Aunty Joan Nielsen, from Goomeri, with Aunty Andrea Collins (who did the opening prayer) and Aunty Jeanette Brown<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Llew O’Brien said NAIDOC Week was a special time for all Australians but especially the people of Cherbourg who have achieved so much over the past 50 years<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge, former Mayor Arnold Murray, Llew O’Brien and Chatur Zala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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There was a long queue of people lining up to enjoy the free hot lunch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A big crowd gathered for the presentation of the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council NAIDOC Awards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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NAIDOC Awards<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Deputy Mayor Gordon Wragge, Cr Carla Fisher, Cr Tom Langton and Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien handed out the 2025 Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council NAIDOC Week Awards to community members:<\/strong><\/p>\n