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.

Michelle Russell is looking forward to sharing her Traditional Country music with a new audience.

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.

The Gudu dancers are a group of Yuin men boys from Bermagui and Wallaga Lake Koori Village on the Far South Coast of NSW. The Gudu dancers always bring a powerful performance to Giiyong Festival.

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.

Deua Duraya Dancers are all Indigenous women from the Brinja Yuin ( meaning swamp/ River people) within the Walbanja of the Yuin Nation. Dancing at Giiyong Festival for the first time in 2024.

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!

Polly will be chatting with Nooky and young people from the My Voice, My Journey program supported by Campbell Page.

Toni Hill is a Walbunja woman based in Narooma NSW. Toni is an experienced weaver and cultural facilitator, and we are thrilled to have her join the Giiyong Festival program this year to deliver a hands-on weaving session for all ages.