The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ 2023 Indigenous design, ‘Mundarlbi’ by Renee Wilson, will headline celebrations of the region’s rich Indigenous culture over the next fortnight of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Cowboys Deadly Choices Round
Kicking off the celebrations at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Cowboys will recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with members and fans during the club’s Deadly Choices Round match against the Dragons on Saturday 13 May.
A packed schedule of activities and entertainment will kick off with Clontarf Foundation’s State of Origin curtain-raiser, with activations around the grounds promoting reconciliation and building awareness and understanding of Indigenous culture.
The Wulgurukaba Walkabouts will deliver the Welcome to Country and perform on-field before a special smoking ceremony and cultural performance alongside students from NRL Cowboys House.
2023 Australian Idol winner and Thanakwith and Wagadagam man, Royston Noell will then take the stage for a very special performance, as part of Tropic Fiesta, presented by the North Australian Festival of Arts and QMUSIC.
Community Corner, presented by program partner Townsville City Council, will provide a platform for organisations supporting this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, exhibiting on the Northern concourse before NRL kick off.
Keep an eye out for Cowboys players taking centre stage at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the pre-game warm up wearing the exclusive Deadly Choices training tee, on sale now exclusively through the Cowboys Team Shop.
The Deadly Choices training tee features the Indigenous design ‘Mundarlbi’ by Lardil woman Renee Wilson, who will also ring the Cowboys bell as guest of honour.
Gates open at 2.45pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this Saturday.
NRL Indigenous Round
The Cowboys will carry a special piece of Mornington Island and its culture when they play Wests Tigers in Sydney for NRL Indigenous Round, wearing their stunning Indigenous jerseys featuring the ‘Mundarlbi’ design.
The team will be part of on-field celebrations and a traditional gift exchange at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday 20 May.
Collectors will have the opportunity to bid for a match-worn, player-signed Indigenous jersey from Sunday 21 May, raising funds for the Cowboys Community Foundation and its life-changing programs, including NRL Cowboys House.
Cowboys Chief Community and Government Relations Officer Fiona Pelling said the two rounds provide an important platform to champion reconciliation and promote relationships, respect and trust.
“The Cowboys Deadly Choices Round and NRL Indigenous Round are important events on the club calendar in showcasing the amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture of Northern Queensland,” she said.
“Our Indigenous design is central to the celebrations and even more special with artist Renee’s connection as a parent of a student at NRL Cowboys House, providing access to secondary education for Indigenous students from remote communities.
“We’re thrilled to be showcasing Renee’s amazing design and its powerful story on the big stage.”
