A CELEBRATION OF ABORIGINAL CULTURE ON THE FAR SOUTH COAST OF NSW - FOR EVERYONE
Partners Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and South East Arts are pleased to again present Giiyong Festival at Jigamy, just north of Eden NSW on
Saturday 9 November 2024
Giiyong Festival provides a rare opportunity in South east NSW for the entire community to come together in celebration of Aboriginal arts, culture and resilience.
Giiyong means ‘come to welcome’ in the south coast language as spoken by local Elders. Everyone is welcome at Giiyong Festival, which brings you the best Aboriginal performers, presenters and speakers in one big day. LIVE MUSIC, THINKERS & SPEAKERS, DEMONSTRATIONS, WORKSHOPS, TRADITIONAL CULTURAL PRACTICES, ART, CRAFT, FOOD AND MORE.
Every part of this country is, always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal people, to Elders and Custodians past, present and emerging and in particular the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters of the Bega Valley where Giiyong Festival makes its home – the people of the Yuin and Monaro nations.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images and references to deceased people.
2024 Giiyong Festival Lineup
Power takes to the main stage at Giiyong Festival, BARKAA - the Blak Matriarch of Hip Hop is heading to Thaua Country.
Kobie Dee is a Gomeroi artist from Maroubra in South Sydney, Bidjigal Land. With an innate gift for storytelling and connecting with young people, Kobie Dee is one of the exciting new voices in Australian hip hop. Giiyong stage is gonna bounce.
The future Mayor Of Nowra - Nooky, Yuin man and no stranger to the Giiyong stage is back - by demand!
Yorta Yorta singer/songwriter Benny Walker is the real deal. He's got the lot; the voice, the songs and the showmanship. Back at Giiyong Festival with his band!
Yes Chef! He’s back - because we love him. Chef Mark Olive, aka ‘The Black Olive’ is bringing his unique fusion of native foods and culture to Giiyong 2024.
Clarence is an environmental and cultural educator. He's a performer and a gardener and native plant expert! You might know him from Gardening Australia.
Shane Herrington from Wolgalu Footprints - brings you practical cultural learning and demonstrations - including traditional axe making, stone tools and ropemaking at Giiyong Festival 2024. Shane will also be MCing the speakers program throughout the day.
Duurunu Miru is an Aboriginal dance group that tells story of the Dhawa/Thaua Country in the Yuin Nation. To be Welcomed to Country by Duurunu Miru is special. See them at the opening ceremony and the Dhilwaan Yarrkural (Nightfall Dance)
Punkaliyarra is a project celebrating matriarchal power and leadership developed in Ieramugadu (Roebourne) WA. Senior and young women from Roebourne will guide the audience in the Monaroo Bobberrer Gudu Keeping Place (Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage) through a creative presentation of women’s culture, expressed through performance, music, narration and dance.
When you hear the smooth country-rock tones of Dale, it won’t surprise you to know he is a returning performer at the Tamworth Music Festival. He will, however, leave you wondering why an agent from Nashville hasn’t yet poached him from the Australian music scene.
The Djaadjawan Dancers are a traditional female Aboriginal dance group from the Yuin Nation of NSW, Australia. The group includes girls, women and Elders from multiple generations from Wallaga Lake, Narooma and La Perouse in NSW.
Where Country, Rhythm & Blues, Rock and Pop music collide you will find Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan.
Sisters in Song, The Djidjarns are Djirringanj Ngarigo women, proudly singing in language, sharing a special connection to country. This is their first Giiyong gig and we can't wait to welcome these local performers.
All the way from Maningrida, West Arnhem Land - saltwater rock from the Top End with a twist. Ripple Effect Band sin in the language of their people. Touring Australia now.
Michelle Russell is looking forward to sharing her Traditional Country music with a new audience.
Amanda Reynolds is a respected Cultural educator. At Giiyong Festival join Amanda as she shares her weaving practice.
Deua Duraya Dancers are all Indigenous women from the Brinja Yuin ( meaning swamp/ River people) within the Walbanja of the Yuin Nation. Dancing at Giiyong Festival for the first time in 2024.
Polly will be chatting with Nooky and young people from the My Voice, My Journey program supported by Campbell Page.
Toni Hill is a Walbunja woman based in Narooma NSW. Toni is an experienced weaver and cultural facilitator, and we are thrilled to have her join the Giiyong Festival program this year to deliver a hands-on weaving session for all ages.
Artist, dancer, educator and Cultural adviser - Alison Simpson will undertake many roles at Giiyong Festival including MC, dance mentor and leader of the kids disco!
Giiyong News
2024 Giiyong Festival continues to showcase the best of traditional and comtemporary Aborigial culture on the Far South Coast of NSW.
South Coast’s 2023 Giiyong Festival is being hailed as a massive success, showing the strength and depth of Aboriginal culture in Southern NSW.
New release from J-MILLA - see him at Giiyong Festival 18/11/23 - All ages gig. U18s free.
From Soul to Rap, from Country to Rock - some of Australia’s finest musicians are coming to Giiyong Festival 2023 + two of the funniest humans alive and our region’s best dancers.
Giiyong Festival receives important funding from Create NSW that will see the Yuin Nation’s biggest Aboriginal cultural festival secured for three more years through to 2025.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES?
Contact giiyong@southeastarts.org.au
J-MILLA at Giiyong Festival 2023 - image by David Rogers
WHERE IS JIGAMY?
Giiyong Festival is held on a property named Jigamy, between Pambula and Eden, NSW.
The property is privately owned by Twofold Aboriginal Corporation.
The address for your map app is:
4381 Princes Highway
Broadwater NSW
Call the Pambulance! Sean Choolburra is back. Official Giiyong Festival family member Sean is back for his 4th Festival. Frankly he’s the funniest man alive (according to our Festival team!). Find him MCing in the arvo and doing his incredible cultural show in the morning program.