Australian Idol winner wants to inspire community and make change

Royston Sagigi-Baira, a 24-year-old queer Thanakwith and Wagadagam man, hadn’t really seen someone who looked or lived like him on television.

‘I’m from a small Indigenous community in Mapoon, Far North Queensland,’ he said. 

‘Kids back home don’t get to see a lot of mob on TV, especially ones that grew up in a small regional community.’

Now every remote Indigenous community in Cape York has seen Royston win Australian Idol.

He grew-up in a small community of 400 people at the tip of Far North Queensland. Royston said he wants to be an inspiration for other Cape York and Torres Strait Islander youth.

‘In remote Indigenous communities there’s not a lot of opportunities and kids feel like they can’t follow their dreams,’ he said.

‘If I can change one little kid’s mind and make them think ‘Wow, if Royston can do it then I can!’ then my job’s done.’ 

He wants to use his prize money to run music workshops in regional communities. 

Hi first single is Invincible: a song about following your dreams, facing troubles that come along, and achieving what you set out to do.

‘It’s the kind of music I want to make, inspiring and up-lifting and giving people hope,’ he explained with a smile. 

Royston is a graduate of the Cape York Land Council’s Lana Program, an innovative learning program that includes mentoring and career pathway opportunities. The program is designed to strengthen all voices and build locally empowered organisations.

‘The Program gives opportunities around Cape York for kids and supports you to move to the city and study,’ said Royston.

‘It’s really important to feel supported in the city as a regional kid, I hope other Cape York kids are able to apply, and go on to more study.’ 

Royston’s hard work and commitment paid off - he accepted a $30,000 scholarship and full-time placement in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) program at QUT, where he is now in his second year.

Lana is a language name, given to the program by the Mokwiri Aboriginal Corporation. Lana means ‘night sky’ and speaks to Cape York Land Council’s wish to support their future leaders.