January 26, called both Australia day and Invasion Day, is an uncomfortable day in Australia. Powerhouse and Indigenous social enterprise, We Are Warriors (WAW), have partnered with R/GA to transform a difficult day into a day of power, pride, and positivity.
They are celebrating the fifth birthday of Indigenous social enterprise, We Are Warriors, with the return of the annual Blak Powerhouse event to Manning House, at the University of Sydney.
The free, all-ages event will present a night of Blak pride and joy with an unmissable lineup of First Nations artists taking to the stage. ARIA award winners, BAARKA, and rap collective, 3%, will headline the night and be joined by rapper, Ziggy Ramo; R&B soul vocalist, Mi-Kaisha; and hip-hop rap duo, Birdz & Fred Leone. The celebration will also include dance performances, panel discussions, weaving workshops, art installations, First Nations market stalls and more.
R/GA is supporting Blak Powerhouse for its fourth year by developing the 2026 visual identity alongside We Are Warriors founder, Nooky, and under the guidance of Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist Matthew “Melnunnie” Brettschneider. The design, spanning posters, signage, and social media, are rooted in the ancestral visual language of Matthew’s Country and are built upon a specific curvature derived from symbols representing a person sitting and a collective gathering. The use of these symbols holds significant meaning within Matthew’s cultural community, but also with First Nations people across the Country. This inspired a redesign of the “Welcome” wordmark to emulate a wry smile. This mark is intentionally layered with meaning: to some, it is a gesture of invitation; to others, it is a knowing signifier of survival, resistance, and a refusal to be co-opted.
“This narrative extended beyond the screen and into the physical space,” stated Ben Miles, chief design officer APAC at R/GA and co-founder of We Are Warriors. “Through the curation of immersive zones like ‘Nooky’s Backyard’ and the ‘Aretha Brown Tattoo Parlour Zone’, we’ve used positive placards and flags to ensure the ’Welcome’ is something attendees truly feel and experience throughout the venue.”
The design functions as a visual manifestation of a safe passage, a concept deeply rooted in First Nations culture. It reflects the duality of the day – a fierce protection of Blak culture and a celebration of community. The design isn’t just an invitation, it is a statement of ownership and a reclamation of space. This year’s theme centres on Welcome, a concept that moves past some recent negativity and public misconceptions to return to the heart of what Country truly means.
“This is a Welcome. It’s spiritual, it’s protective, and it’s about safe passage into a space of truth and strength,” Nooky commented. “Welcome to Country has been misinterpreted, tokenised, or misread as a welcome to Australia. But Country doesn’t mean Australia. Country means your land, your mob, your spirit, and your ancestors. It is a connection and a responsibility that is not yours to take, and no matter how polarised the world becomes it is not yours to discuss. There’s a duality here. It’s Mob first. We have passed through each other’s lands with respect for thousands of years, and we are inviting everyone to gather and share in that on our terms. On the other side, it’s a line in the sand: a refusal to let our culture, ceremony, or stories be erased.”
The space will feel fierce, optimistic, and unapologetically Blak. From 6:00 PM, the yard party atmosphere will feature slushies, workshops, and positive energy out back.
A dedicated Birthday Room will celebrate five years of We Are Warriors through Power, Pride, and Positivity.
Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah, commented, “Blak Powerhouse continues to be shaped bycommunity, led by First Nations Voices and grounded in deep cultural practice. We are honoured to partner with We Are Warriors to present this extraordinary event that celebrates the strength and beauty of First Nations culture in Sydney.”
Event details:
- When: January 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Where: Manning House, Sydney University
- Entry: Free (Registration required)
- Register: powerhouse.com.au/program/blak-powerhouse
