Author: James Briggs, Program Manager – Caring for Country, BNTAC

Celebrating NAIDOC Week Through Partnership, Culture and Community

As part of NAIDOC Week 2026, I had the privilege of representing Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (BNTAC) alongside our valued partners from Downer and the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) during a series of events that highlighted the importance of culture, community and meaningful collaboration.

On Wednesday 8 July, I joined Fiona Paterson from the QTMP team for a Q&A yarn that was broadcast as a webinar to QTMP staff across Queensland. The conversation provided an opportunity to reflect on the significance of more than 50 years of NAIDOC celebrations and what NAIDOC Week means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

As a proud Kamilaroi man from Moree, New South Wales, I shared my personal journey and spoke about the privilege of living and working on Butchulla Country for the past 35 years.

A key focus of the discussion was the growing partnership between BNTAC, Downer and the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, including Caring for Country activities adjacent to the Torbanlea Manufacturing Facility.

Earlier in the week, BNTAC joined the Downer team at the NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day in Hervey Bay, providing an opportunity to engage with local families and showcase projects and partnerships.

NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate culture, acknowledge history and recognise the strength and resilience of First Nations peoples.