By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Ngulu Festival is on this evening, celebrating Indigenous culture and performances following Reconciliation Week recently.
The event will be run alongside the ECOSS Valley Market from 3.30pm to 6pm, with performances in The Coop following the market.
Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Executive Officer Chelsea McNab said the event aims to be in the spirit of reconciliation.
“We acknowledge that Reconciliation Week is very busy for our First Nations community members and we would like to give a bit of space to that, we’ve got, over 20 stalls and lots of them have educational material on them and indigenous crafts and art,” she said.
“It’s getting popular, we’re now getting contacted by people who are aware that it’s coming up to have a stall or to be involved in certain ways.”
Stevie Thorpe will start off the activities with Taste of Culture, making damper and hosting a yarn around the fire from 5pm to 6pm.
Auntie Julie Coombs will give a Welcome to Country in the absence of Auntie Kim Wandin at 6pm.
From 6.15pm to 6.45pm Ganga Giri will perform alongside the Djarlo Dance Group, followed by Claire Garvey stepping in for the unwell Carissa Nyalu from 7pm to 7.30pm. Ganga Giri will return to round out the night from 7.45pm to 8.45pm.
Ms McNab said while none of the ECOSS committee members are indigenous, they feel confident that they can have great relationships and work respectfully in partnership and collaboration with indigenous artists.
“It’s a funny space to work in as a white ally, sometimes we’ve been questioned on ‘Who are we to put on a First Nations festival’ but on the other side, our position is in sitting on a beautiful bit of land on Wurundjeri Country and hosting this place and working in the areas of indigenous education with our partners,” she said.
“We feel that it’s something that we should be doing, to help leverage and support First Nations performers and use our position to really invest in our First Nations community and celebrate them.”
A big thank you was extended to the First Nations Officer at the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery Nikki Brown for her support of the event and to the sponsors who helped fund it alongside Yarra Valley ECOSS; the Regional community Recovery Committees, Yarra Ranges Council, the Bendigo Bank of Warburton and Yarra Junction and VicHealth.
Tickets are available at the door or via www.events.humanitix.com/ngulu-festival-db1ihrxn.
