7 July 2025
Media release
Rights Made Real podcast and film launched in Magan-djin
The Queensland Human Rights Commission has launched a new podcast, Rights Made Real, at kuril dhagun, State Library of Queensland, with the first series Gathering Strength celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices from across Queensland.
The Rights Made Real podcast provides a platform to discuss freedom, respect, equality and dignity - and how this can be achieved for all Queenslanders.
Gathering Strength, the first podcast series, features First Nations voices including Mick Gooda, Gaja Kerry Charlton, Jerome Wano, Prof. Gracelyn Smallwood, Kaleb Mabo, Elverina Johnson, Thomas Mayo and Prof. Marcia Langton, among many others.
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner, Scott McDougall, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner, Natalie Lewis, and the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, also contributed to the podcast series and discussed the ongoing importance and relevance of supporting First Nations self-determination at the launch event on Monday.
The podcast launch coincided with NAIDOC Week and was accompanied by a viewing of a short film from the Bandarran Marra’Gu (Gathering Strength) Summit, which was held during May.
This Summit was hosted by the Queensland Human Rights Commission, together with the Queensland Family and Child Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission. It brought together more than 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to consider how to uphold, promote and protect the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Earlier in May, the Queensland Family and Child Commission also held the Bandarran Marra’Gu Youth Summit, facilitated by Yoora Maltha and led by Zhanae Dodd, who also spoke at the podcast launch event.
The first series of the Rights Made Real podcast is hosted by journalist Solua Middleton and produced by Deadset Studios with theme music from Clay Cassar-Daley. The four-episode series aims to capture the current sentiment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland, and covers themes including Healing, Talking/Listening, Acting and Dreaming.
Rights Made Real – Gathering Strength series is available now across all popular podcast platforms.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Human Rights Commissioner, Scott McDougall
“I’m proud to announce the launch of the Queensland Human Rights Commission’s first podcast, Rights Made Real – Gathering Strength series, which features strong First Nations voices covering the themes of Healing, Talking/Listening, Acting and Dreaming."
“Following the national Voice Referendum, the decommissioning of the Truth Telling and Healing inquiry, and the ongoing disregard for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples in Queensland, we wanted to capture the voices of the First Nations community in 2025."
This podcast series aims to support in advancing the rights of First Nations communities in Queensland to self-determination and building a Queensland where everyone feels safe and welcome."
“The podcast and short film launch shares messages from the Bandarran Marra’Gu Summit and provides an opportunity for First Nations community members to gather strength and consider a way forward – it’s an emotional listen and I encourage everyone to subscribe and hear what our podcast guests have to say.”
- ENDS
Notes to editor:
- Photos of the launch event available here.
- Download the podcast trailer here.
- Listen to the podcast series here.
- Watch the Bandarran Marra’Gu short film here.
Media Contact
QHRC Media
Email: comms@qhrc.qld.gov.au
Phone: 0407 657 411