06 Jul 2026
St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge is marking NAIDOC Week 2026 by celebrating the theme “50 Years of Deadly”, recognising the strength and pride of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
St John Fisher College Indigenous Liaison Officer, Temeika Yorston, from Ewamian and Birri Country, said the theme reflected the enduring strength of culture and community.
“This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is exciting as it represents the resilience of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and how our culture lives on,” she said.
St John Fisher College Principal Britt Gurnett said the theme held particular significance in education, where schools were continuing to deepen understanding and representation of First Nations perspectives.
“I believe that the 2026 theme is so timely, particularly for us as educators,” Britt said.
“It allows us to take that off the page, take that out of the classroom and really celebrate in a very authentic way how far we’ve come as a nation.”
At the College, creating spaces where students feel heard and proud of their identity is central.
“It is really important for our First Nation students to feel that they have an authentic representation in their school community,” Britt said.
St John Fisher College Captain, Isla, a proud Walbunja and Diriganj woman of the Yuin nation, said the theme is both a celebration and a call to continue moving forward.
“I think 50 years of deadly… I think 80,000 years of deadly,” Isla said.
“It means keep on doing what we’ve always been doing, just showing up, pushing for better and always being deadly.”
Through initiatives such as the Umbarra group, students are building confidence, sharing culture and strengthening connections.
“All of our girls are at different stages in finding out who they are, and through meeting regularly and having conversations, they have been able to build confidence in themselves and be proud of who they are,” Temeika said.
Isla said this support gave her the roots to be braver and share more.
“I'm one of the first generations for my family to be able to come as far as I have with high school and have the opportunities to share who I am without feeling discriminated against,” Isla said.
“So celebrating just how far we’ve come is a very important thing and I think it's very special,” Isla said.
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