Uncle Derek ‘Powder’ Oram conducting a smoking ceremony beside the Goori Camp Embassy sign (black, yellow and red panels lettered GOORI / CAMP / EMBASSY) at Barrambin, Brisbane.
When
Sunday 21 June 202611.15 AM
Where
Darnell RoomSt John’s Cathedral
Cost
FREEAll welcome · RSVP appreciated for catering and seating
Hosted by
Uncle Bill LemsonCo-Chair, First Nations Allies Magandjin

About Uncle Derek

Uncle Derek ‘Powder’ Oram is a respected Aboriginal Elder, cultural leader, and defender of Country, with deep connections to Yetimarala Country, Turrbal/Meeanjin Country, and Woorabinda in Central Queensland. He brings cultural authority earned across decades of service, known for cultural education programs, Indigenous forums, language preservation, Welcome to Country ceremonies, and grassroots organising.

“We’re talking about an ancient city. We got to think of those ancient times — thousands and thousands of our Goori mob. So this was a north-north-west camp.”

Uncle Derek · Blak Justice podcast, April 2026

About the word “Goori”

“Goori” is the self-designation used by Aboriginal people of South East Queensland and the northern coastal regions of New South Wales — the regional identifier in this part of the country in the way Murri is used across most of Queensland, Koori across New South Wales and Victoria, Noongar in south-west Western Australia, and Anangu across the central deserts.

The word comes from Awabakal gurri, originally distinguished from Koori to the south. The Jagera linguist Madonna Thompson has described it as “like a trade language word” — a name shared across the clan groups of the wider South East Queensland society, recognised by Aboriginal people of this region as a way to name themselves together.

So the Goori Camp Embassy at Barrambin asserts more than one nation’s interest. It speaks for the Goori people of South East Queensland as a whole.

Uncle Derek stands publicly with the Goori Camp Embassy at Barrambin — Victoria Park — established in April 2026 with his son Derek Oram Sandy and supporters. The Embassy keeps a sacred fire on the old camping grounds at the heart of Brisbane’s CBD as a frontline for Country, cultural heritage, and sovereign Blak Justice. His life and work reflect continuing advocacy responsibilities for Country, water, fire, story, and community.

Aerial view of the Goori Camp Embassy at Barrambin (Victoria Park), Brisbane — blue tents, a sacred-fire smoke plume, and the Aboriginal flag flying above the camp.
The Goori Camp Embassy at Barrambin (Victoria Park), Brisbane — established April 2026.

Barrambin was a major north-north-west camping ground for the Goori peoples long before colonisation, a meeting place along the lines of travel between the inland and the coast. Beneath the park run the Yorks Hollow springs — fresh water still surfacing on the land. The state government’s proposed Olympic stadium would desecrate this sacred ground and the water that has run beneath it for thousands of generations. The Goori Camp Embassy has set itself in the way of that desecration.

“It still comes back to that fire, for healing. And the colony knows when these fires happen. They’ve had it in the early 1800s. They’ve smelt that fire. So when it happens again, it brings out that healing — and they’re reminded of how sovereignty was never ceded.”

Uncle Derek · Blak Justice podcast, April 2026

Uncle Derek ‘Powder’ Oram (left) in cultural attire and ochre, standing with Uncle Bill Lemson (right) at the Goori Camp Embassy, with the Aboriginal flag in the background.
Uncle Derek ‘Powder’ Oram (left) with Uncle Bill Lemson at the Goori Camp Embassy.

Uncle Derek joins Uncle Bill Lemson at St John’s Cathedral on Sunday 21 June 2026 to speak from lived experience, cultural authority, and enduring responsibility — to keep Country, water, fire, memory, Culture and Community vibrant and strong for future generations. Come and connect.

Sources: Uncle Derek’s own published account (flyer, June 2026); the Blak Justice podcast — Goori Tent Embassy (Carly Wallace, April 2026); the Jagera linguist Madonna Thompson on the word “Goori”; Aboriginal Places of Inner Brisbane (University of Queensland, 2022) on Barrambin / Victoria Park as a Goori camping ground. Compiled with care, with Uncle Bill’s direct knowledge of his guest.

21 June Yarning Circle with Uncle Derek

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— Uncle Bill Lemson