Mission history inspires new Cherbourg sign

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council unveils new welcome sign.

TOWN PROUD: The Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council has unveiled its new sign welcoming people to the town. Picture: Chatur Zala

THE CHERBOURG Aboriginal Shire Council has unveiled a new sign welcoming people to the historic township.

The project was a joint initiative between Mayor Arnold Murray, Cherbourg Council CEO Warren Collins and corporate services manager Chatur Zala, who all believed it was time the town received a new sign that represented Cherbourg's dynamic cultural history.

The sign's slogan, "Many Tribes - One Community”, seeks to reflect a stronger understanding of the many different indigenous tribes from across Queensland and New South Wales that were forced from their lands to form the Barambah mission in 1904.

"Back in the early days when the area was known as Barambah, many tribal people came from places all over Queensland, from out west and up north from as far as Bundaberg,” Cr Murray said.

"Many different tribes were brought to Cherbourg via forced removal.

"It was my idea to include the farewell message 'Thankyou for visiting Wakka Wakka land' which was a tribe spanning all the way from the Bunya Mountains to the other side of Blackbutt, to Goomeri and up to Ban Ban Springs.”

Mr Zala said the project had been months in the making.

"Initial planning and negotiations on the four-metre sign started back in June this year and was designed by Danthonia Designs, who did a great job completing the project on time,” he said.