Giiyong Festival a massive hit
Giiyong Festival, the largest multi-arts Aboriginal cultural festival in southern NSW, recently took place on Saturday 9 November, at "Jigamy," an Aboriginal-owned property between Pambula and Eden, NSW. Nestled on the shores of Pambula Lake, on Thaua country.
Kate Howarth Digital (soon to be renamed Kate Doust Digital) provided the following services over a 6 month period:
media and public relations including media liaison and copy writing
social media managemnet
website development and maintenance
print design and production including posters, programs, banners and signage
content creation
event photography
management of food vendors and market stalls
event administration
merchandise design and sales
post-event reporting
The day was filled with celebration, community and Cultural immersion. Organised by South East Arts, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, this year's Giiyong Festival was the fourth edition, following its successful debut in 2018. "Giiyong" means "come to welcome" in the south coast languages spoken by Elders, and true to its name, the festival invites everyone to experience the rich cultural history of the region. The event was opened with a special Welcome to Country from Uncle B.J. Cruse and smoking ceremony and dance by Eden’s Duruunu Miru Dance group led by Shaquille Aldridge.
South coast Aboriginal culture was in full force on the day. Alison Simpson, Joint Interim CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation said, "Giiyong Festival is more than just numbers through the grate. We hope that people take home a sense of welcome and unity, that they feel they have learnt something new and felt the strength of our culture."
This year’s program spread over four zones, covered everything from music, dance, language, arts and crafts, as well as food and ideas. The speakers program highlighted the emergence of strong youth leadership within the local Aboriginal community. This year saw presentations and performances from women from Ripple Effect Band from Maningrida, NT and Punkiliyarra, a special collaborative project with local women from Roebourne, WA and arts and social change organsiation Big hART.
ALL IMAGES BY KATE DOUST HOWARTH
Ms Simpson chaired a panel of language specialists - Aunty Ellen Munday (Djirringanj), Aunty Vivian Mason (Walbunja), Jacob Chant-Morris (Gumea-Dharrawal) and Darren Wighton (Wiradjuri) - who shared insights on the different projects and approaches happening around various communities to explore and revive traditional languages.
Headlining the Giiyong music program was the powerhouse rapper BARKAA, a Malyangapa, Barkindji artist who has earned the title "Blak Matriarch of Aussie Hip Hop". She recently took home the Artist of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards and along with south coast legend Nooky and Gomeroi artist Kobie Dee, they had the Uncle Jimmy Aldridge Stage jumping. Also on the bill were Benny Walker, The Djidjarns, Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan, Dale Robert Huddleston and The River Bend Band, and Michelle Russell.
Festival favourite Sean Choolburra was joined on stage by Tik Tok sensation Bush Tucker Bunjie, and also presented his very popular cultural kids show for audiences.
Cultural demonstrations and workshops shared ancient techniques for creating traditional tools, spears, possum skin cloaks, painting and weaving. The Bambarang Mens Group based out of Narooma and Wallaga Lake were a popular stall, along with almost 30 other Aboriginal creators and makers selling everything from traditionally carved emu eggs to native plants.
Julie Wilson from Guiltfree Gourmet in Orbost in Victoria, won the Best Use of Native Ingredients with her excellent Bush Tucker Tasting Plate and was one of 10 food vendors from around the region. Her prize was presented by Chef Mark Olive, whose cooking demonstrations are always a popular inclusion in the Festival.
The late afternoon saw all participating dance groups from up and down the south coast come together for Dhilwaan Yarrkural (Nightfall Dance).
Ms Simpson said, ‘It’s a special moment at each Giiyong Festival, when multi-generational dance groups celebrate in the Bunaan Ring. It’s quite awe-inspiring and certainly leaves the crowds with something to talk about.”
Ms Williams reported that over 2500 people attended the event and that the far-reaching economic benefits of Giiyong to the region were still being tallied, as post-event survey results continue to roll in.
“One message that is coming through loud and clear from audience members is their appreciation of the contribution of local Aboriginal youth to the event - as volunteers, crew, performers and presenters,” Ms Williams said. “This is something that the event partners are very proud of and bodes a bright future for the event. The dancers from Eden and Pambula schools were spectacular.”
Almost ninety volunteers worked across the course of almost a week, to assist the Giiyong Festival crew to stage the massive event.
Jasmin Williams, Festival Director said, “We rely very much on our volunteers and it’s always great to see so many people put their hand up to assist this important event. In particular, the labour assistance received from the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast and Campbell Page is invaluable and very much appreciated.”
Giiyong Festival is a unique opportunity for the South East NSW community to come together in celebration of Aboriginal arts, Culture, reconciliation, and resilience. The festival is proudly supported by Create NSW through to the end of 2025. The next event will be in November 2025.