Cairns celebrates half a century of NAIDOC Week with march through the streets.
“NAIDOC proud, voices ready. 50 years, black and deadly!”
The chant rang out across the streets as Cairns came together on Friday 3 July, for the 2026 Cairns NAIDOC March.
Getting a head start on of the official NAIDOC Week, the march made its way from the Cairns Performing Arts Centre to Fogarty Park, bringing together hundreds of supporters, organisations, families and First Nations communities in a celebration of culture and strength.
The theme for 2026 – 50 Years of Deadly – recognises 50 years of NAIDOC and the generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose leadership, advocacy and cultural strength have shaped the movement. It honours our Elders, organisers, artists and community leaders who have carried NAIDOC forward over five decades and continue to inspire future generations.
More than 60 Cape York Partnership (CYP) staff joined in the march, standing alongside First Nations communities to celebrate culture, recognise the contributions of those who came before, and acknowledge the young people who continue that legacy today.
“As a First Nations Australian I love coming to the NAIDOC March, it is a time we can get together with our friends, family and our allies and we just celebrate everything great about our culture,” she said.
50 years deadly is just a small part of our 65,000-year history but it is great to celebrate it.
Cape York Partnership Group CEO Fiona Jose
Cape York Solutions Chief Operating Officer Rose Manzini said she was proud to march alongside colleagues and the broader community.
"I love that I get to have the privilege of living on Gimuy Walubara Yidinji land and to be here on the 50 years of NAIDOC is something I am enormously proud,” Cape York Solutions Chief Operating Manager Rose Manzini said.
“50 years is not enough, there is a beautiful culture that we just don’t see enough of in our country… I hope that our country begins to see just what that uniqueness brings to our beautiful land and people.
The National NAIDOC is a week-long event held in the first full week of July each year from Sunday to Sunday.
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