The GiIYONG FESTIVAL LINEUP 2025
The first of our 2025 Giiyong Festival lineup is here. Deadly musicians, dancers, comedians and presenters from across Australia. More being added daily. Check back often!
INTERACTIVE DANCE - BUSHFIRE REGENERATION
Cultural Educators Ashweeni Mason (Marra-Wanggan Cultural Services) and Emma Stewart (Jirribitti Dreaming) present an interactive cultural workshop exploring Aboriginal bush regeneration practices. Through dance and song, participants will learn about the sacred role of fire in caring for Country for thousands of years.
NATHAN LYGON
NATHAN LYGON is a proud Yuin Dharrawal and Wolgalu man. Nathan has a deep love and respect for fire and country. Nathan will be part of our Cultural Burning discussion panel at Giiyong Festival.
MARRA-WANGGAN DANCERS
Marra-Wanggan means Mermaid in the Dhurga language & the group consists of 15 young ladies & women, dedicated to reviving traditional song, dance & language, while creating new songs & dances to honour old stories.
MATT WALKER
Hometown legend - Matt Walker - returns to Giiyong Festival in 2025 bringing his soaring voice and dynamic performance to the main stage.
PETER SWANTON
Peter Swanton is a Gamilaraay man from Mackay, QLD. He has aa Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physics, specialising in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Peter’s work highlights the scientific importance of Indigenous star knowledges, and what we need to do in order to preserve these knowledges on Country, as well as in the night sky.
AMANDA JANE REYNOLDS
Amanda Jane Reynolds is a respected Cultural educator. At Giiyong Festival join Amanda as she shares her wearable art creations in a hands-on free workshop. She will also be facilitating our Whale Dreaming panel on the Aunty Alice Moore Stage (speakers tent).
SHANE HERRINGTON
Wolgalu Wiradjuri man Shane Herrington from Wolgalu Footprints - brings you practical cultural learning and demonstrations - including traditional axe making and stone tools, rope making and bush tucker at Giiyong Festival 2025. Two free workshops throughout the day.
DR VANESSA CAVANAGH
Vanessa Cavanagh is a Bundjalung and Wonnarua Aboriginal woman from NSW, Australia. Vanessa is a strong advocate for Aboriginal women in caring for Country.
PRODIKAL-1
Prodikal-1 (Warren Foster Jr.) is a Yuin Djiringanj hip hop artist from Wallaga Lake. Blending culture, storytelling, and strong social messages, Prodikal-1’s music merges traditional Indigenous perspectives with contemporary hip hop, rock, and global rhythms.
VIVIAN MASON
Aunty Vivian Mason is part of the Whale Dreaming panel. She is bringing her vast experience in reviving, sharing and protecting Culture to the discussion.
BOONDI
Boondi is an electronic music duo from the Far South Coast of NSW, made up of Yuin, Dharrawal and Wolgalu man Nathan Lygon and Kyle Wilson. Blending driving beats with the power of the didgeridoo, Boondi grew from a friendship formed at Jigamy, the heart of Giiyong, and will make their debut performance at Giiyong Festival 2025.
LYNNE THOMAS
Yuin-Biripi traditional knowledge holder, Lynne Thomas, will take part in the Cultural Burning panel discussion at Giiyong FEstival.
YAALA DANCERS
Yaala Dancers are young women sharing local Aboriginal language form the South East Coast, through dance and movement.
ALISON SIMPSON
Artist, dancer, educator and Cultural adviser - Alison Simpson will undertake many roles at Giiyong Festival including MC, dance mentor, dancer and Johnny Cake cooker!
BAMBARANG MEN’S GROUP
Bambarang Men’s Group is an all-Indigenous men’s group who are from the Yuin/Monaro area. They specialise in sharing and practising culture and making traditional wooden artefacts.
RAYMOND TIMBERY
Ray Timbery is a Bidjigal Dharrawal / Monero Jaitmatang man, born and raised on Dharrawal Dhurga country . He is the CEO and founder of Gadhungal Marring and will be sharing stories through dance and presenting a Fishing Spear workshop.
LUKE HYATT
Luke Hyatt is a proud Wotjobuluk , Gunai-Kurnai, Minang man who works at Birrigai Outdoor School as an indigenous ranger. With years of experience in cultural burning, land and Cultural heritage management, Luke is passionate about sharing his knowledge and connection to the land with others. He will form part of our Cultural Burning panel discussion.