Giiyong Festival Marks Historic Milestone as Twofold Aboriginal Corporation Becomes Lead Producer
Ashweeni Mason from Marra-Wanggan Cultural Services at Giiyong Festival 2024 by David Rogers.
The next Giiyong Festival on 22 November 2025 will mark a major milestone in the history of the event, with Twofold Aboriginal Corporation just announced as the lead agency for the iconic multi-arts Aboriginal event on the Far South Coast of NSW.
Working in close partnership with Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and with the continued, but reduced, support of South East Arts, this transition places Giiyong’s secure future firmly in Aboriginal hands.
Giiyong Festival, first held in 2018, has become a much-anticipated celebration of culture through music, dance, ideas, art and food, held on Thaua Country at Jigamy, between Pambula and Eden. The 2025 event represents a new chapter in the festival’s story, with leadership firmly embedded in the community it celebrates.
Over the past seven years, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation has been working alongside its festival partners to build the skills, knowledge, and community connections needed to take on this leading role. This evolution not only represents an important act of self-determination but also lays the foundation for the future growth and sustainability of the festival.
“We are incredibly proud to be stepping into this role,” said Alison Simpson, CO-CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation.
“Giiyong is more than a festival—it’s a reflection of our culture, our stories, and our people. Being able to lead its future ensures it continues to grow in a way that’s meaningful and empowering for our community.”
“The work the three partners have done together to reach this point has been invaluable. We are grateful for the management and production framework set in place by South East Arts, as they step back from their primary role, as planned, for 2025.”
Giiyong Festival attracts thousands of visitors and is a cornerstone of the Sapphire Coast’s cultural calendar. Each year, attendees experience a rich tapestry of Aboriginal creativity and connection that is deeply rooted in Country.
At Giiyong, visitors can immerse themselves in vibrant traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance performances, featuring local dancers alongside guest artists from across Australia. The air fills with the sounds of the didgeridoo and clapsticks, accompanied by captivating live music blending ancient rhythms with modern beats.
Festivalgoers can explore the Guganyala Aboriginal Arts Market showcasing works from emerging and established Aboriginal artists, including painting and weaving, all telling stories of land, identity, and survival. Workshops offer hands-on opportunities to learn traditional craft skills guided by knowledgeable cultural practitioners.
The festival also serves as a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, with panel discussions and forums that address important issues affecting Aboriginal communities today, including language preservation, environmental stewardship, and cultural revival.
With Twofold Aboriginal Corporation at the helm, the festival’s future looks stronger than ever, ensuring that Giiyong remains a powerful, living celebration of Aboriginal culture on the Far South Coast of New South Wales.
Giiyong Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Aboriginal Affairs NSW. This project has also been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Twofold Aboriginal Corporation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. All donations over $2 are tax deductible, helping to support cultural development and community-driven events like Giiyong Festival.
For more information about Twofold Aboriginal Corporation or to make a tax deductible donation, please visit: https://www.twofoldjigamy.org.au/