In this powerful NAIDOC Week yarn, I sit down with Uncle Cheg—Gregory Egert—one of our most respected elders and lifelong advocates for community, culture, and education in Southeast Queensland. From growing up in Inala in the 1960s, to decades of service on community boards and as an inaugural Elder in Residence at QUT and now UQ, Uncle Cheg shares stories of resilience, responsibility, and staying grounded in culture.

We talk about the early days of big community meetings (complete with the occasional flying chair), the importance of giving back, and how Aboriginal-led research is shaping better futures through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. Uncle Cheg reflects on what drives him to keep showing up for mob, why mentoring the next generation is non-negotiable, and his hopes and concerns for our young people as they step into a fast-changing world.

Whether you’re mob, an ally, or someone wanting to understand more about what genuine community leadership looks like, this episode is a heartfelt reminder—especially during NAIDOC Week—that our culture, our stories, and our obligations endure.

Tune in to hear Uncle Cheg’s wisdom on belonging, legacy, and the power of lifting each other up.

Resources & Links


ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures
https://indigenous-futures.org/indigenous-futures.org+1indigenous-futures.org+1


The Murri School
https://murrischool.qld.edu.au/murrischool.qld.edu.au+11murrischool.qld.edu.au+11murrischool.qld.edu.au+11


QUT Carumba Institute
https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institutequt.edu.au+3qut.edu.au+3qut.edu.au+3


University of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit
https://indigenous-engagement.uq.edu.au/atsisu

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

 

In this powerful NAIDOC Week yarn, I sit down with Uncle Cheg&mdash;Gregory Egert&mdash;one of our most respected elders and lifelong advocates for community, culture, and education in Southeast Queensland. From growing up in Inala in the 1960s, to decades of service on community boards and as an inaugural Elder in Residence at QUT and now UQ, Uncle Cheg shares stories of resilience, responsibility, and staying grounded in culture.
We talk about the early days of big community meetings (complete with the occasional flying chair), the importance of giving back, and how Aboriginal-led research is shaping better futures through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. Uncle Cheg reflects on what drives him to keep showing up for mob, why mentoring the next generation is non-negotiable, and his hopes and concerns for our young people as they step into a fast-changing world.
Whether you&rsquo;re mob, an ally, or someone wanting to understand more about what genuine community leadership looks like, this episode is a heartfelt reminder&mdash;especially during NAIDOC Week&mdash;that our culture, our stories, and our obligations endure.
Tune in to hear Uncle Cheg&rsquo;s wisdom on belonging, legacy, and the power of lifting each other up.
Resources &amp; Links
<ul>
<li data-start="131" data-end="301">
ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures <a href="https://indigenous-futures.org/" data-start="0" data-end="31" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">https://indigenous-futures.org/</a> <a href="https://indigenous-futures.org/news-events?utm_source=chatgpt.com">indigenous-futures.org+1indigenous-futures.org+1</a>
</li>
<li data-start="303" data-end="442">
The Murri School <a href="https://murrischool.qld.edu.au/" data-start="0" data-end="31" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">https://murrischool.qld.edu.au/</a> <a href="https://murrischool.qld.edu.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">murrischool.qld.edu.au+11murrischool.qld.edu.au+11murrischool.qld.edu.au+11</a>
</li>
<li data-start="444" data-end="594">
QUT Carumba Institute <a href="https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institute" data-start="0" data-end="49" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institute</a> <a href="https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institute?utm_source=chatgpt.com">qut.edu.au+3qut.edu.au+3qut.edu.au+3</a>
</li>
<li data-start="596" data-end="800">
University of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit <a href="https://indigenous-engagement.uq.edu.au/atsisu" data-start="0" data-end="46" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">https://indigenous-engagement.uq.edu.au/atsisu</a>
</li>
</ul>
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.acast.com/www.blackmagicwoman.com.au">www.blackmagicwoman.com.au</a>
Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast
The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.
If you enjoyed this episode, please &lsquo;Subscribe&rsquo; on Apple Podcasts or &lsquo;Follow&rsquo; on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you&rsquo;d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au
&nbsp;

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.

 

Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.

 

Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au

 

If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit www.theblackcard.com.au Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.
&nbsp;
Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It&rsquo;s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960&rsquo;s.
&nbsp;
Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at <a href="https://www.theblackcard.com.au">www.theblackcard.com.au</a>
&nbsp;
If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit <a href="https://www.theblackcard.com.au">www.theblackcard.com.au</a> Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.



Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.



Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.



If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.
 
Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.
 
Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.
 
If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Black Magic Woman

Carrying the Load: Eldership, Obligation, and Hope for Our Future

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/ac47209f-2e84-4c9d-8a9c-b30f0187f51e/transcript