OPENING EVENT: Ganbu Gulin: Imagining

FUSE Spring 2022 kicks off in style with Ganbu Gulin: Imagining.

Co-presented by the Wurundjeri Land Council, Ganbu Gulin (meaning ‘One Mob’ in Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung) celebrates and recognises First Nations peoples. This free event invites all residents, old and new, to be officially welcomed onto Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.

Ganbu Gulin shares its name with Daniel King’s documentary, which tells the story of Darebin City Council’s decision to cease observing January 26 as Australia Day. In 2019, the inaugural Ganbu Gulin ceremony and event was held, created in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Land Council and the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee. The film explores how this inclusive annual program has evolved as a platform for Traditional Owners to welcome new citizens in their own way.

Now, in 2022, we invite you to join us for a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture, re-imagined and curated by FUSE’s Curator-In-Residence, Sofii Belling-Harding.

Ganbu Gulin is FREE, and there's so much to explore.

  • Participate in our sunset Walk on Country for a powerful show of solidarity.
  • Meet Aboriginal community leaders and business owners.
  • Explore stories of endurance and survival, and open your heart to a lifelong connection to Country.
  • Enjoy live music and performance.

Featured performers:

  • DRMNGNOW
  • Bumpy
  • Neon Ngargee with Amos Roach
  • Monica Karo
  • Djirri Djirri

Ganbu Gulin is an event for every Darebin citizen.

UPDATE: Due to projected rainy weather, we're moving the entertainment inside to the magnificent theatre at the Darebin Arts Centre. Also, some additions to the proceedings. Alongside our headlining acts, we're also pleased to present storytelling by Gamilaraay, Kooma and Muruwari woman, Maurial Spearim; a T-shirt making workshop by Gammin Threads; and a marketplace with stallholders including Wickey Creations, Clothing The Gaps, Kinya Lerrk, Minelle Creed and the Foster Care Recruitment Team from the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency - VACCA.

There will also be an area for children’s activities in the foyer hosted by VACCA. If you arrive hungry or need a cuppa, we’ve got you covered with yummy food trucks stationed out the back, brought to you by Pavilion Food Van and Little Box Brownie.

Also, there's a ceremony in the gardens for new citizens at 1pm (before Ganbu Gulin itself begins at 2pm). New citizens will be welcomed onto Country by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson. The fire will be lit and Wurundjeri dance group Djirri Djirri will also perform. If you're a new citizen of Darebin, or an existing citizen who has never been welcomed onto Country, please feel free to join this ceremony.

Finally: dress warmly for the outdoor Sunset Walk Ceremony. We can’t wait to see you all – bring the kids!

#FUSEdarebin #GanbuGulin #ChangeTheDate

FUSE Darebin acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people who are the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land on which this event takes place. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

UPDATE

Due to projected foul weather, we're moving the entertainment inside to the magnificent theatre at the Darebin Arts Centre. Also, some additions to the proceedings. Alongside our headlining acts, we're also pleased to present storytelling by Gamilaraay, Kooma and Muruwari woman, Maurial Spearim; a T-shirt making workshop by Gammin Threads; and a marketplace with stallholders including Wickey Creations, Clothing The Gaps, Kinya Lerrk, Minelle Creed and the Foster Care Recruitment Team from the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency - VACCA.

There will also be an area for children’s activities in the foyer hosted by VACCA. If you arrive hungry or need a cuppa, we’ve got you covered with yummy food trucks stationed out the back, brought to you by Pavilion Food Van and Little Box Brownie.

Also, there's a ceremony in the gardens for new citizens at 1pm (before Ganbu Gulin itself begins at 2pm). New citizens will be welcomed onto Country by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson. The fire will be lit and Wurundjeri dance group Djirri Djirri will also perform. If you're a new citizen of Darebin, or an existing citizen who has never been welcomed onto Country, please feel free to join this ceremony.

Finally: dress warmly for the outdoor Sunset Walk Ceremony. We can’t wait to see you all – bring the kids!

SOFII BELLING-HARDING

Sofii Belling-Harding is a Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri, South Sea and Meriam woman who has lived in Naarm on Wurundjeri Country all her life, having grown up in Preston and now residing in Fitzroy. She is a qualified Youth Worker and multidisciplinary artist, specialising in photography, ceramics and painting on fabric. Sofii is a member of the Yirramboi Advisory Group, Producer for the Ilbijerri Theatre Company's 30th Year Anniversary Event and is currently working towards exhibiting pieces in collaboration with other artists for the 'Sydney Road Blaks' exhibition at Counihan Gallery in Brunswick. She is passionate about working with and for her community in the creative industries and specifically, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. 

DRMNGNOW

Photo by Wild Hardt.

Neil Morris is a Yorta Yorta Kaieltheban song writer, hip hop artist and producer who uses his music as DRMNGNOW to explore culture, community and country. Through story telling Neil provokes discussion  and education around Australia’s Indigenous history and future, and the  constant strength and struggles of his people post colonial Australia.

BUMPY

Photo by Wild Hardt.

Adopting her childhood nickname — adorned due to a knack for bumping into all kinds of obstacles — Bumpy pulls from the strength found in tenderness, scars and all. The Noongar woman and Naarm artist’s stirring voice is transportive, arresting listeners with complex, intimate and multi-faceted truths of loss, joy and connection.

Whether paired-backed to just her voice and a guitar (‘Falling’), adorned with luscious strings (‘Return Home’) or playing off a live band ('Leave It All Behind'), Bumpy’s music is always honest, raw yet awfully controlled. Live, she brings all facets of herself to the stage: vulnerable and strong, melancholic and energetic, serious and silly, always entrancing.

Having previously played festivals such as Boogie Festival, Strawberry Fields, Melbourne Music Week and more, Bumpy most recently appeared as part of VIVID Festival at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, alongside Yussef Dayes, Hiatus Kaiyote, Mildlife and others.

NEON NGARGEE WITH AMOS ROACH

Traditional Kulin dances and stories told and danced with a spectacular contemporary twist.
Our aim to is dance in spaces where First Nations people have historically congregated in Naarm, (Melbourne). To reconnect people to country and culture and to songlines.

MONICA KARO

Monica Karo, a Gunai/Kurnai and Gunditjmara descendant, is a Melbourne-based poet, actor and singer-songwriter. Having studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts, she is continuously expanding on her artistry. Reflecting a deep connection to spirituality through her ancestry, Monica brings a raw element by infusing her strong cultural values and personal experiences of womanhood into her poetry. Monica is a passionate young artist and mother who strives for an empathetic approach to life, all peoples and the environment. Monica believes a poet’s repertoire is scripted from the mind, but sewn into a channelled existence from the Heart.

DJIRRI DJIRRI

Photo by Wild Hardt.

We are the only Wurundjeri female dance group, and also Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne). Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, the language of Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. The Willy Wagtail the Spirit Bird, gave us dance! Many of our group have danced since they were young children, while others have learnt as adults. Our dances are created to honour our Liwik (Ancestors), Kerr-up-non (Family), Biik (Country) and animals. We are all related by blood through  one woman, Annie Borate, William Barak's sister. We teach our dancers to also sing in Woiwurrung language, our Mother Tongue.

Event & ticketing details

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Auslan Interpreted
Gender Neutral Toilets
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Dates & Times

FREE event Saturday 3 September - 2-7pm

Location

Ray Bramham Gardens

St Georges Rd

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