Rites of Passage 2025 Celebrates Culture, Connection and Achievement
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Building on the success of last year's community-led graduation ceremony and celebration, the
First Nations Working Group of Gladstone Region engaging in action Together (GRT) brought community together for the Rites of Passage 2025 event on Sunday 9 November at the Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct.
This year's celebration continued our community's commitment to acknowledge the self-determination and significant achievement of First Nations Youth of the Gladstone Region. More than 100 community members gathered to recognise each student's journey and future pathways, and highlight the importance of connection to culture and community as Year 12 graduates move into adulthood.
The event was shaped by an Acknowledgment of Country by Year 12 student, LeKarah, traditional Smoking Ceremony, a Kup Murri, a First Nations past-student panel discussion, and speeches from local Elders and the Gladstone Regional Council Deputy Mayor. Each moment wove together cultural pride, lived experience, and encouragement.
The First Nations Working Group, supported by volunteers, worked together with care and dedication to ensure each graduate felt celebrated.
Each student received a personalised boomerang plaque, specially crafted for the event by Gooreng Gooreng and Gurang Traditional Owner Artist, Howard ‘Joe’ Butler. Artwork by Kirralee Costello (Mandandanji/Noonuccal) from Maiarla Dreaming was reflected throughout the day, including on commemorative T-shirts gifted to students.
The artwork was designed to symbolise community and connection. In her artist statement, Kirralee explained that it reflects how each individual embraces the challenges of new chapters in their lives. While everyone embarks on their own unique journey, they remain deeply connected to those around them and to the land they call home, no matter where life takes them.
Local Elders shared heartfelt stories and guidance to the graduates. They congratulated the students and thanked the First Nations Working Group for creating a meaningful celebration that honoured this significant milestone alongside family and friends.
Gooreng Gooreng Elder, Aunty Jacque Johnson shared, “To all the Year 12 students, what you have accomplished this year is very good. Our people never had these opportunities, so keep going.”
Byellee Elder, Uncle Colin Lingwoodock added, “Congratulations to the students, you’ve had a great year, and I hope next year will be even better.”
“Thank you to the First Nations Working Group for all their efforts,” Uncle Colin said.
Deputy Mayor Natalia Muszkat also added words of congratulations and insights from her life journey, sharing, “Today is a celebration of becoming, of stepping from one part of your story into the next.”
“You’ve done the work. You’ve stayed the course. You’ve carried your culture, your values, your dreams, and now you’re standing at the edge of something new,” Cr Muszkat said.
A new highlight to this year’s event was a panel discussion featuring Rites of Passage 2024 graduates. Natalyne, Charlize, and Jasmin reflected on their year beyond school and shared advice to the class of 2025.
“Where there is no challenge, there is no growth,” Natalyne reflected.
Charlize encouraged students to persist, “Opportunities lead you in the right direction, just keep showing up and work hard.”
Jasmin highlighted the importance of positive support networks “Surround yourself with people who have your best interests at heart”, she said.
Inspired by those who encouraged her, Jasmin has joined the First Nations Working Group to help shape this year’s event.
“As a young Indigenous student, people believed in me and encouraged me to do more. I wanted to do the same for other young Indigenous students,” she explained.
Students and families shared positive feedback about the celebration’s positive impact.
One attendee commented, “I think this event appreciated the First Nations youth appropriately, by presenting handmade trophies by an Elder, the inclusion of all Indigenous students in the community, and representation of culture through the Smoking Ceremony, stories, people, and food.”
Graduates were gifted a School Leavers’ Resource Bag from Santos GLNG containing tools and information to help them prepare for life beyond school, featuring resources from Headspace, Lifeblood, the Link and Launch program, and a School Leavers’ Guide from Colin Boyce MP.
Rites of Passage 2025 was proudly supported by local partners, including Kinetic, Santos GLNG, Rio Tinto, Here for Gladstone, Shell QGC, Flavours Marina, Gladstone Regional Council, Jan’s Flower Shoppe, and Gladstone Region engaging in action Together.
Aligned with the objectives of the community-designed Gladstone Region Wellbeing Action Plan, the Rites of Passage event reflects a collective commitment to supporting First Nations youth as they embrace life and opportunities beyond school.
The community will come together again in November 2026 as the First Nations Working Group continues this important graduation ceremony for First Nations youth celebrating culture, connection and achievement.
For further information or to learn more about the First Nations Working Group, please contact GRT:
P: 07 4970 7382
