The future Mayor Of Nowra - Nooky, Yuin man and no stranger to the Giiyong stage is back - by demand!

Yes Chef! He’s back - because we love him. Chef Mark Olive, aka ‘The Black Olive’ is bringing his unique fusion of native foods and culture to Giiyong 2024.

Clarence is an environmental and cultural educator. He's a performer and a gardener and native plant expert! You might know him from Gardening Australia.

Amanda Jane Reynolds is a respected Cultural educator. At Giiyong Festival join Amanda as she shares her weaving practice.

Shane Herrington from Wolgalu Footprints - brings you practical cultural learning and demonstrations - including traditional axe making, stone tools and ropemaking at Giiyong Festival 2024. Shane will also be MCing the speakers program throughout the day.

Punkaliyarra is a project celebrating matriarchal power and leadership developed in Ieramugadu (Roebourne) WA. Senior and young women from Roebourne will guide the audience in the Monaroo Bobberrer Gudu Keeping Place (Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage) through a creative presentation of women’s culture, expressed through performance, music, narration and dance.

Baalang Millingbaloo Bugan is a program that has an exciting outcome at Giiyong Festival on Saturday 9 November. Young women from the region have been working with Emma Stewart and Ashweeni Mason from Marra-Wanggan Cultural Services, connecting with cultural knowledge, learning some local language and participating in sacred women's practices that have been passed down through generations.

Aunty Vivian Mason is part of the Language Revival Panel. She is bringing her vast experience in reviving, sharing and protecting Culture to the discussion.

Ray Timbery is a proud Bidjigal Dharrawal  / Monero Jaitmatang man, born and raised on Dharrawal Dhurga country. His session on the Fundamentals of Cultural Practice will give the audience an opportunity to learn about the rich Cultural history and practices of Aboriginal communities on the south coast.

Four young emerging leaders talk to Nooky and Juanita Scott-Funaki about local issues and their hopes for the future.

Facilitating the panel is Alison Simpson (Wiradjuri) Joint Interim CEO of Twofold Aboriginal Corporation. She will be joined by Aunty Ellen Munday (Djirringanj), Aunty Vivian Mason (Walbunja), Jacob Chant-Morris (Gumea-Dharrawal) and Darren Wighton (Wiradjuri).

LANGUAGE PANEL: Gumea-Dharrawal man Jacob Chant-Morris is the language consultant and creative director at Gadhungal Marring, where he plays a pivotal role in the revitalization and preservation of Aboriginal languages and culture.

Marra Wanngan will showcase the creative process of transforming cultural teachings and a dreaming story into a song and dance using Aboriginal language, traditional and contemporary movements. In the Bunaan Ring - audience participation encouraged.

Aunty Ellen Munday - Djirringanj - will take part in the Language Revival Panel at Giiyong Festival bringing her wealth of knowledge in culture and language.

Vikki Parsley is a Murramarang Walbunja Yuin and Wiradjuri woman from the south coast of NSW. At Giiyong Festival Vikki will demonstrate possum skin cloak making techniques.

Bambarang Men’s Group is an all-Indigenous men’s group who are from the Yuin/Monaro area. They specialise in sharing and practising culture and making traditional wooden artefacts.

WUNYUNGAR is an Aboriginal Messenger, who embarks on the longest walk in modern Aboriginal history to ignite a new dreaming. Wunyungar's journey will be screening, among other films, from 5-8pm in the Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage in the Keeping Place.

Luke Wighton is a Wiradjuri man from Condobolin central west NSW, now living and working in Wagga Wagga. He’s bringing his yidaki (didgeridoo) for a didge jam and demo on the main stage.

Darren Wighton is a Wiradjuri man from Condobolin central west NSW, now living and working in Albury. He’s bringing his yidaki (didgeridoo) and language revival expertise to Giiyong Festival.

Artist, dancer, educator and Cultural adviser - Alison Simpson will undertake many roles at Giiyong Festival including MC, dance mentor and leader of the kids disco!