Community & Business
1 October, 2024
Culture celebrated at Luncheon
Indigenous and non-Indigenous elders dined together at the Oakey RSL where they were entertained by ‘the Black Elvis’ Roger Knox and local musicians.
Australian Country Music Hall of Famer Roger Knox, also known as the “Koori King of Country” performed with local musician Scotty Troutman.
Before performing, Knox jokingly told the Champion he would perform some “good, bad, slow and fast” songs and the veteran crooner delivered on his promise.
Invited guests included representatives from Goondir Health, Swartz Barracks Australian Army Aviation Training Centre, Broncos legend Steve Renouf and Pat Weir MP.
Knox and Troutman were well complemented by traditional performances from Oakey community Indigenous youth leaders Damon Miri Anderson and William Thira-Mayinj Haupt.
Miri Anderson and Thira-Mayinj Haupt talked to the elders about how they were grateful to have learned songs, dances, and language.
Thira-Mayinj Haupt talked about his experience performing at the Bunya Mountains in 2020, and told guests that Aboriginal nations had used the Bunyas as a meeting place for ‘tribal parliament’ until the 1910s.
The pair, who are off to the Sydney Opera House next month to perform in the national Indigenous dance competition, Dance Rites, played three traditional tunes, from Wakka Wakka country, and other nations.
Dance Rites will take place on the weekend of 18th and 19th October at the Sydney Opera House forecourt from 2pm-8pm.
The event will be broadcast live on the Opera House and NITV channels.
