Courtney Morrison (Executive Director) and Tracy Connolly (First Nations Working Group member) shared their journey of community-led change and shared leadership, focusing on the Rites of Passage celebration for Year 12 First Nations students.

The Rites of Passage event was co-designed with students and community members, providing an inclusive, culturally grounded celebration that is accessible to all graduates, regardless of attendance records or personal circumstances. This means every student has an opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated at this critical juncture in their life.

The event represents the community coming together, rebuilding connections and working towards something positive for future generations. Over two years, more than 50 First Nations students and 200 community members have participated in the celebration.

Participation in ChangeFest Gatherings was a significant catalyst for the working group’s motivation and vision, inspiring members to take action in their community.

“People have done it, people can do it, and I can be part of the team that helps bring that change to our community.”

A key observation was that the ideas are already within the community; sometimes they just need an external push to get moving. In this story, that push came from attending ChangeFest Gatherings.

The backbone support provided by Gladstone Region Together (GRT)—including administration, legal, data and logistical support—was also critical to enabling the First Nations Working Group to lead with confidence and integrity. This work was grounded in a relationship of trust and shared leadership.

Central to this was demonstrating that the group was action-oriented, rather than meeting simply for the sake of meeting. It showed the community that real change and outcomes were possible, and that every voice held equal power, regardless of role or background.

The strength of this relationship, together with strong group solidarity and institutional support, enabled the work to continue even through difficult times. The experience reinforced the importance of backbone organisations providing community leaders with legal and emotional support, as well as practical and logistical assistance.

The leadership capacity of working group members has grown significantly, with members stepping into broader community leadership roles. This work is creating new pathways and a lasting legacy for future generations.

Resources shared during the event

• Opening Poem by Linda Arnall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd--EWANUyc
• Rites of Passage Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of3PcJsRhOA
• Welcome Baby to Country: Nurturing from the beginning: https://www.minderoo.org/stories/welcome-baby-to-country/
  • (shared by a session participant)
• The Kin and Country Framework - https://www.kinandcountryframework.com/
  • a framework for exploring perspectives and spotting patterns.
• Lunch and Learn session presentation

Reflections from participants

The session made a strong impression on those who attended. These were just a few of the parting comments:

“I’m taking with me the power of recognition.”

“Really great to hear how people are making a difference in their communities and how we are lifting one another up! Thank you.”

“Thanks so much, Tracy and Courtney—I’ve been inspired!”