FUSE Darebin's Spring program is set to kick off with Ganbu Gulin, a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture filled with spectacular live performances.
Ganbu Gulin, meaning ‘One Mob’ is Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, is a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture. There will be live performances from DRMNGNOW, Bumpy, Neon Ngargee with Amos Roach, Monica Karo, Djirri Djirri and Koorie Youth Will Shake Spears and a chance to meet Aborigional community leaders and business owners, explore stories of endurance and survival and participate in their sunset Walk on Country for a powerful show of solidarity. Created as an alternative ritual to January 26, it takes place at Ray Bramham Gardens in Preston, on Saturday September 3 from 2 – 7pm.
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“Ganbu Gulin is an alternative to January 26,” Jodee Mundy OAM, Coordinator of FUSE, said.
“It opens FUSE Spring every year. It’s an alternative ritual, with a Welcome to Country and a First Nations program. It’s a unique day when we come together to be ‘one mob’, which is what Ganbu Gulin means. It shows how local communities can create their own day that isn’t the 26th of January.”
With a lineup of killer live acts, Ganbu Gulin is not to be missed. A Yorta Yorta Kaieltheban song writer, hip hop artist and producer, DRMNGNOW explores Australia’s Indigenous history and future through storytelling, provoking discussion on the constant strength and struggles of his people in post colonial Australia.
Known for her raw, honest and tender music, Bumpy will bring her stirring and transportive voice to Ganbu Gulin. Pulling strength from tenderness, the Noongar woman and Naarm artist is known for bringing all facets of herself to the stage. She recently appeared as part of VIVID Festival at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, alongside Yussef Dayes, Hiatus Kaiyote, Mildlife and others.
There are heaps of killer live dance performances as well – with spectacular dance performances from Neon Ngargee with Amos Roach, the only Wurundjeri female dance group Djirri Djirri and traditional Koorie Dance group Koorie Youth Will Shake Spears. There will also be live poetry readings from Monica Karo, a Gunai/Kurnai and Gunditjmara descendant.
Sharing its name with David King’s documentary, Ganbu Gulin tells the story of Darebin Council’s decision to cease observing January 26 as ‘Australia Day’. The event is re-imagined and curated by FUSE’s Curator-In-Residence, Sofii Belling-Harding – a Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri, South Sea and Meriam woman who has lived in Naarm on Wurundjeri Country all her life. With the inaugural Ganbu Gulin ceremony and event being held in 2019, the event has evolved to become an inclusive annual program that invites all residents to be officially welcomed onto Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.
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