NOOKY

FUTURE MAYOR OF NOWRA

Nooky is one of the most vital voices in the Australian music landscape, known for his no-holds-barred, hyperactive brand of rap. He’s worked with brands from G-Shock to Geedup while also making beats and producing.

In 2021, the proud Yuin man started hosting triple j’s‘Blak Out’,showcasing Indigenous excellence on one of Australia’s biggest radio stations and began hissocial enterprise We Are Warriors, a platform that allows the next generation to see it, and be it.

NOOKY will not only perform this year, he will join the Youth Panel discussion during the day.

Nooky is no stranger to the Giiyong Festival stage, he was there with Briggs in the mud for us in 2022.

PUNKALIYARRA: Ancient Matriarchies, New Leadership

Punkaliyarra is a project celebrating matriarchal power and leadership developed in Ieramugadu (Roebourne) WA. For this very special cultural exchange presentation at Giiyong Festival, 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.

This exploration of culture, relationality and leadership sparks discussion that helps us to see leadership in a new light, and rethink the societal models of power that no longer serve us.  

The session will be introduced by Walbunja woman, Aunty Sharon Mason, who has been involved in cultural exchange with the project since early 2024. The presentation will be followed by a facilitated Q&A with the audience. 

Punkaliyarra is produced by Big hART, and has been in development since 2020. Locally in Roebourne, Punkaliyarra focuses on connection to country, skills transfer and story content creation, to support wellbeing, safety and visibility for senior and young First Nations women. Big hART is a national arts and social change company who have also been working in Eden, Wallaga Lake & Nowra since 2021 on the Bulla Midhong project. 

BAALANG MILLINGBALOO BUGAN

Image by David Rogers

Baalang Millingbaloo Bugan is a program currently underway that has an exciting outcome at Giiyong Festival on Saturday 9 November. Young women from the region have been working with Emma Stewart and Ashweeni Mason from Marra-Wanggan Cultural Services, connecting with cultural knowledge, learning some local language and participating in sacred women's practices that have been passed down through generations.

The team have been taking participants through the process of making beautiful wearable art pieces from natural materials and equipping them with modelling and dance skills to feel confident, comfortable, and proud when showcasing their art and language to their community. Recently the group were lucky enough to have Aunty Amanda Reyonds visit to share some of her incredible skills and traditions.

Baalang Millingbaloo Bugan means "Young women paint up on Country" - translation provided by Aunty Ellen Munday.

See the results of this intensive program in the Bunaan Ring in the Uncle Phillip Manton Gayna (Camp) on Saturday 9 November. 

Ashweeni Mason and Emma Stewart, Gulaga by David Rogers

Image by David Rogers

Image by David Rogers

RAY TIMBERY

Ray Timbery is a proud Bidjigal Dharrawal  / Monero Jaitmatang man. He was born and raised on Dharrawal Dhurga country and is the founder and CEO of Gadhungul Marring, a cultural education and service organisation based in Dharawal Country on the south coast of NSW.

In his session at Giiyong Festival, Ray will deliver a presentation about the fundamentals of Cultural practice and the philosophy behind it all. He will dive into the how, what and why of traditional Cultural practices and connection to Country, offering  the audience an opportunity to learn about the rich Cultural history and practices of Indigenous communities on the south coast.

Ray and his team at Gadhungul Marring are Dharawal Traditional Custodians on the south coastal waters and Country of NSW.

Gadhungal Marring are developing and delivering Australian Indigenous educational and Cultural programs, training and immersive experiences into Indigenous Culture such as smoking ceremony, dance, and mangrove walks with bush food knowledge.

We are thrilled to have them join the Giiyong Festival program this year.

EMERGING LEADERS - PANELLISTS

At Giiyong Festival this year we are excited to welcome a panel of remarkable young Koori leaders from Eden and Bega - Will Herbert-Scott, Falyn Scott-Stewart, Kayne Thomas-Woods and Shakaya Aldridge - who have all been part of the transformative My Voice, My Journey program delivered by Campbell Page.

Our young people play a critical role in the future wellbeing of our Culture, Communities, and Country.

These young trailblazers are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are making waves today by addressing issues that matter to young Koori people and charting their own paths toward fulfilling their life goals and dreams.

The panellists will be joined by our special guest, NOOKY, a talented hip hop artist, radio host, and entrepreneur from Nowra. As the founder of We Are Warriors, NOOKY is dedicated to celebrating Blak excellence and empowering Indigenous youth, making him a powerful voice in our conversation.  

Facilitating our discussion will be Juanita Scott-Funaki, a proud Bega local and now a Social Media Producer with ABC Indigenous in Sydney. Juanita’s passion for storytelling and her commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices will guide our panel in exploring the important themes of resilience, identity, and cultural pride.

Join us at the Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage venue for what promises to be an inspiring and enlightening conversation directly from these Young People. Their insights and experiences are sure to inspire us all.

Will Herbert-Scott - Yuin/Kamilaroi - lives in Bega.

I would like to see a youth-lead space in Bega, somewhere safe for youth to do programs and connect wth each other and services that can support them.

Shakaya Aldridge -

Yuin/Kamilaroi - from Eden.

I would like to see more cultural programs and workshops for young indigenous kids in the community.

Falyn Scott-Stewart - Yuin/Kamilaroi/Bunjalung - lives in Bega.

I’d like to see more opportunities for young indigenous youth like jobs, programs etc. to showcase the amount of talent & creativity the young people in our area have, which can then help keep young people engaged & connected to their community & out of trouble.

Kayne Thomas-Woods - Yuin/Djirringanj/Ngunnawal - lives in Eden.

I would like to be able to help my community engage in more cultural practices and share a better understanding of my culture to educate.

LANGUAGE REVIVAL

Across our region and further afield, programs that support the revitalisation and maintenance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are currently underway.

In this conversation, our guest panellists will share insights about the different projects and approaches happening amongst various communities to explore and revive traditional languages, why this work is important and where it can lead for future generations.

Facilitating the panel is Alison Simpson (Wiradjuri) Joint Interim CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation. She will be joined by Aunty Ellen Munday (Djirringanj), Aunty Vivian Mason (Walbunja), Jacob Chant-Morris (Gumea-Dharrawal) and Darren Wighton (Wiradjuri).

Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage, Monaroo Bobberrer Gudu Keeping Place 1:40PM Saturday 9 November 2024

JACOB CHANT-MORRIS

Gumea-Dharrawal man Jacob Chant-Morris is the language consultant and creative director at Gadhungal Marring, where he plays a pivotal role in the revitalization and preservation of Aboriginal languages and culture. With a deep understanding of linguistic traditions, Jacob works closely with the community to ensure that language remains a core part of the cultural education offered by Gadhungal Marring.

In his role as creative director, Jacob also oversees the artistic vision and development of the organisation’s workshops, tours, and educational programs. His creative input ensures that the programs not only convey cultural knowledge but also engage participants in meaningful, immersive experiences.

Jacob will be part of the Language Revival panel discussion on the Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage in the Moneroo Bobberrer Gudu Keeping Place at Giiyong Fesival on Sat 9 Nov.

ELLEN MUNDAY

Ellen Munday was born in 1964 in Bega as a Fringe Dweller on the outskirts of Bega township. At the time, racism and racial segregation was very common and in full view. The Munday's and Margret Dixon (nee Munday) were the first Aboriginal families housed in Bega in 1969-1970. 

Aunty Ellen says, “I am the co-author of the book ' Aboriginal people of Monaro', published in 2000. The book was an introduction into the Ngarigu people of Monaro and the Delegate Aboriginal Common Reserve history.

I am now working along with Emma Stewart in the pre-schools introducing a Cultural Connection Program on Djiringanj language flash cards. The aim of the program is to educate children of all races on Aboriginal culture and history. I am also researching documents on oral history and history on Djiringanj local language for a local Djiringanj dictionary.”

Aunty Ellen is part of the Language Revival panel discussion on Sat 9 November at 1:40pm at Giiyong Festival.

VIKKI PARSLEY

Photo by Rhett Wyman, Palawa man.

Vikki Parsley is a Murramarang Walbunja Yuin and Wiradjuri woman from the south coast of NSW.

As a child Vikki spent time on country listening to her Elders and family members learning the stories for country across Yuin lands.

The early teachings inspired Vikki to attend University where she studied B. Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) developing a career path in conservation and heritage spanning more than 25 years across Australia and internationally, having worked in NSW NPWS and now in her current role with Bush Heritage Australia as one of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership Executives.

With a keen passion and love for her culture she has learnt traditional weaving techniques from countrymen and the importance and deep significance of the possum skin cloak making and revival. In 2011 Vikki was one of 12 custodians in Batemans Bay who worked to create the Walbunja guungara baraan (Walbunja possum cloak). She shares knowledge developing workshops with youth and community groups to pass on the practice.

These workshops have seen the creation of birthing cloaks (for mothers and buri groups), children’s cloaks, belonging and reconnecting to culture with victims from the former Cootamundra Girls Home to create healing through possum cloak making, academic cloaks celebrating graduations, displays and talks at various schools, Yuin djama dhugan – Speak of country 360 Virtual reality experiences, Art Galleries and festivals.

‘Passing on these practices is sharing the hopes and dreams of our ancestors for future generations, keeping country and our people strong’

TONI HILL

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.

Toni says:

'Weaving for me is like a kind of therapy, My Aunty Deidre introduced it to me. Over the years I have been involved in facilitating women's groups where my skills have grown. This practice has allowed me to feel closer to my culture. I feel great joy in sharing my practices and at the Giiyong Festival, I'll be demonstrating weaving techniques using contemporary materials'.

Don't miss Toni's session in the Cultural Demonstrations tent between 11.15am - 1.30pm.