IPSWICH is set to come alive with music, dance and culture as the city celebrates NAIDOC Week 2025, honouring the strength and vision of the next generation of First Nations leaders.
Tulmur Place will be the heart of the city’s celebrations on Tuesday, July 8, with a vibrant community event hosted by Ipswich City Council.
This year’s national theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, shines a spotlight on young Indigenous Australians who are shaping the future while carrying forward the legacy of the world’s oldest living culture.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the event would highlight the enduring connection between culture, community and future leadership, through performances, art, storytelling, and the voices of First Nations youth.
Mayor Harding said the Council’s community event to mark NAIDOC Week in Tulmur Place would be packed with music and dance performances, cultural and artistic displays and information stalls.
“With this year’s theme of The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, NAIDOC Week is a fantastic opportunity to think about the future as we continue to work at forging a path towards reconciliation,” Cr Harding said.
“The people of Ipswich are proud of the Indigenous history of its lands and waters – traditionally known as Tulmur – which have been home to the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul Peoples of the Yugara Language Group for millennia.
“I am so often inspired by the leaders of our First Nations communities of our city in their tireless efforts to improve lives and bring people together in recognition of the 65,000-year history of the oldest continuous culture in the world.”
Cr Harding said it was great that NAIDOC Week had put on a focus on the youth of today who are rising to become the leaders of the future, proudly continuing the legacy of thousands of generations before them.
“Council has a strong focus on nurturing young people from all walks of life with long-running initiatives including the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council and Ipswich Film Festival for Youth, putting them at the centre of the conversation around the future of our city as the world changes at a rapid pace,” she said.
Ipswich City Council has long prioritised building relationships with First Nations communities, establishing an Indigenous Accord in 1999 which has been regularly updated and continues to be enacted today.
Community and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Jacob Madsen said the event on July 8 would be a great opportunity for all attendees to be immersed in First Nations culture through music, dance and yarning.
“Our NAIDOC event, to be held in Tulmur Place this year, has for years brought the community together in celebration of the culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians and in solidarity with efforts to provide positive outcomes in the future,” Cr Madsen said.
“As this event shows, Ipswich is a vibrant city made up of community-minded residents who are committed to walking together with others in respect, unity and a shared sense of purpose.
“This year brings a packed program with music through bands The Huntsmen, The Eatles and Jamiesha, while performances by Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company and Argan Bay Dance Team, as well as a Welcome to Country by Uncle Henry Thompson, are not to be missed.
“With information stalls, food, children’s activities and an elders’ area, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at our NAIDOC event in Tulmur Place.”
NAIDOC at Tulmur Place event program, July 8
- 10-10.45am Music performance – The Huntsmen
- 10.50-11am Welcome to Country – Uncle Henry Thompson
- 11.05-11.15am Welcome speech – Mayor Teresa Harding
- 11.15-11.35am Dance performance – Nunukul Yuggera
- 11.40-11.55pm Dance performance – Argan Bay Dance Team
- Noon-12.45pm Music performance – The Eatles
- 12.50-1.20pm Music performance – Jamiesha
- 1.25-2pm Music performance – The Huntsmen
