General News
28 July, 2026
Shine festival on hold
THE popular Shine On Gimuy festival is not going head this year as the production team takes time to mourn the death of artistic director Rhoda Roberts in March this year.
The 2026 pause will also create space for cultural guides, executive producers, creative directors and key stakeholders to revisit, reimagine and recharge the festival’s future, carrying forward the strengths, lessons and stories from Shine On Gimuy’s journey from 2022 to 2025 and setting sights on the road to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
“Rhoda’s unwavering passion for arts and culture laid the groundwork for Shine On Gimuy,” said founder and executive producer Merryn Hughes.
“Her passing leaves a profound gap for our festival family and for the wider community,” she said.
“In 2026, taking time to mourn, cherish what we built together and come together with purpose is the right way to honour Rhoda’s legacy.”
The decision follows a highly successful 2025 festival season, when record attendance of over 100,000 festival goers from across the region, Australia and internationally, converged on the Gimuy/Cairns Boulevard, to share in the First Nations cultural celebration.
