Jess attends NAIDOC in Kalgoorlie
Regional Arts WA
Written by Jessica Machin
I was privileged to be at the beautiful and moving performance of Gulliah Tjukurr (Emu Dreaming) by the young people of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School and Laverton Remote School at the Goldfields Arts Centre on Monday 4 July. This performance was the culmination of an artist in residence program with the internationally acclaimed choreographer Michael Leslie and the brainchild of Creative Producer Gary Cooper.
Michael worked closely with cultural elders Bruce Smith and Janice Scott and the First Nations Reference Group. The result being the cooperation and collaboration between young people from Laverton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder to contemporise a traditional corroboree song – Gulliah Tjukurr (Emu Dreaming).
Micah Meredith during Gulliah Gundala performance at Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie. Photo by Martine Perret.
The performance was augmented by magnificent projections by Ashley Gibbs with photography by Martine Perret. This gentle and moving performance opened a week long arts and cultural program for NAIDOC week presented by Tjuma Pulka Media Aboriginal Corporation.
Huge congratulations to all involved and a thank you to the Chair of Tjuma Pulka Frank Martins opening remarks – which reminded us all of the important focus on young people and the power of the arts to transform lives and build self esteem. Debbie Carmody the General Manager of Tjuma Pulka also spoke about the legacy of the 2014 Regional Arts Summit and Tjuma Pulka’s commitment to the realisation of the Goldfields-Esperance Arts and Cultural Strategy.
A poignant and wonderful opening for NAIDOC week which includes a makers market, bands from Warburton, launch of a magazine and performance by Archie Roach.
