'Pride for our People' with Cathy Freeman AC
The 2026 QUT Meanjin Oration, themed 'Pride for our People', was a landmark success, attracting a capacity audience and selling out QUT Gardens Theatre. Presented by the Carumba Institute, the event reinforced QUT's position as a leading institution for Indigenous intellectual engagement, dialogue and public scholarship in Southeast Queensland.
Headlined by a compelling in-conversation between Australian sporting icon Cathy Freeman AC and QUT's award-winning journalist, author and academic Dr Amy McQuire, the evening celebrated Indigenous excellence, leadership and cultural strength through reflection on Freeman's life, achievements and enduring legacy. The discussion explored themes of identity, belonging, resilience and self-determination, highlighting the profound impact Freeman's journey continues to have on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
Held in alignment with the 2026 National NAIDOC Week, themed '50 Years of Deadly', the oration provided an opportunity to honour the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while reflecting on the collective pride and strength that continue to shape Indigenous futures.
The audience included members of QUT's Executive Leadership Team, respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, academics, students, community leaders, industry partners and representatives from Indigenous organisations across Queensland. Their strong attendance demonstrated the significance of the Meanjin Oration as a platform for meaningful conversation, storytelling and knowledge sharing.
Throughout the evening, Cathy Freeman reflected on the role of family, culture and community in shaping her life and career, while Dr Amy McQuire skilfully guided a thoughtful and engaging conversation that resonated deeply with attendees. Together, they explored the responsibilities that accompany visibility and success, and the importance of remaining grounded in identity and community.
The impact of the 2026 Meanjin Oration will extend far beyond the theatre. The conversation will be published in the inaugural issue of Meanjin Quarterly, helping preserve and share the insights from the evening with broader audiences. In addition, the oration has been selected for broadcast on the ABC's Big Ideas program, further amplifying the discussion and ensuring the themes of pride, identity and Indigenous excellence reach audiences across Australia.
Download the 2026 Meanjin Oration program (PDF file, 2.7 MB)
Cathy Freeman AC reflects on life in the spotlight
Cathy Freeman AC shared her personal experiences and perspectives on identity, pride and legacy at the 2026 QUT Meanjin Oration. In conversation with Dr Amy McQuire before a sold-out audience at QUT Gardens Theatre, Ms Freeman reflected on her journey from elite athlete to national icon, sharing lessons on the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
About the orator
Cathy Freeman AC
Cathy Freeman AC is a proud Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman and one of Australia's most celebrated Olympic athletes. She rose to international prominence as a sprinter and made history as the first Australian Aboriginal woman to win gold at an international athletics event. Freeman represented Australia at four Olympic Games, with her career-defining moment coming at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where she lit the Olympic flame and won gold in the 400 metres, carrying both the Australian and Aboriginal flags in an iconic act of national significance.
A multiple-time World Champion, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and Australian of the Year, Freeman is widely recognised not only for her sporting excellence but for breaking barriers and reshaping national conversations about Indigenous representation and pride. After retiring from elite sport, she dedicated herself to education, youth empowerment and community leadership through the Cathy Freeman Foundation (now Murrup). In 2026, she was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), cementing her legacy as both a sporting legend and a respected advocate for resilience, leadership and social change.
About the QUT Meanjin Oration
The QUT Meanjin Oration is one of the university's signature annual events, inspiring, showcasing, and cultivating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research excellence.
Since its commencement in 2022, the oration has engaged with critical local and national issues affecting Indigenous Australians and the broader Australian society.
Previous orators have included:
- Professor Marcia Langton - Uluru Statement from the Heart
- Mr Noel Pearson - Referendum on the Voice to Parliament
- Uncle Joe Geia - From the Act to Treaty and Truth-telling in Queensland
- Dr Tony McAvoy - Leadership and Legacy in Indigenous Law.
Artwork: 'the point of the spear', courtesy of artist Judy Watson and Milani Gallery, Meanjin/Brisbane.