Celebrate the rich Indigenous culture of our city with an exciting array of events during the second Quandamooka Festival, which officially opens on Sunday 3 July.
Redland Mayor Karen Williams said the three-month calendar of events featured activities and interests for all ages, including whale watching tours, art exhibitions, music, song and dance, film nights, markets, food, sporting events, speakers forums and more.
“From the first smoking ceremony of the festival on Sunday 3 July to a music and dance spectacular at the closing ceremony in mid-September, this year’s Quandamooka Festival is jam-packed with an extensive showcase of traditional and contemporary Indigenous art and culture,” she said.
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“Now in its second year, the festival is a unique opportunity to learn more about the rich Aboriginal heritage of our city and the relationship between our Traditional Owners and their land and waters.
“It is wonderful to see a community-led festival of this scale happening in our City, and I congratulate the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and their festival committee for creating a program of more than 50 events across the Redlands.
“Council is proud to support the Quandamooka Festival and the traditional owners of the land and waters of our city.”
QYAC CEO Cameron Costello said the opening event coincided with the start of NAIDOC Week and was the day before the fifth anniversary of Quandamooka Native Title determination and the signing of an historic Indigenous Land Use Agreement between Council and the Quandamooka People.
“It is great to start our program during NAIDOC with ‘Yura’ – Yura means welcome in local Jandai language and our opening event on the Dunwich waterfront will be a true celebration of people coming to be part of the Quandamooka Festival.
“We hope that people will join us at Yura, be part of our Kunjiel closing ceremony – and in between journey with us through our program of events.
“You can try traditional tucker, learn to weave with natural fibres, welcome the whales as they pass by, marvel at sand art, hear local dreaming stories while cruising the bay or enjoy the music of Xavier Rudd – it’s all happening in the next three months.”
Festival highlights include:
* Yura! Opening celebrations on Sunday 3 July at Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island, followed by NAIDOC Week celebrations
* Songlines in Redlands: a NAIDOC showcase headlined by Troy and Dean Brady at Redland Performing Arts Centre, on Sunday 10 July
* Yura Yalingbila – Welcome of the Whales Festival on Saturday 23 July at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
* Kunjiel Corroboree Closing Ceremony, featuring Xavier Rudd, traditional dancers and live music on 17-18 September at Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island
Visit Quandamooka Festival for the program and follow Quandamooka Festival on Facebook for updates throughout the festival.
