One morning fifty years ago, our Gurindji elders broke unforgettably from the industry that had taken our land and oppressed us for generations. Envisioning a brighter future for our people, they walked from Lord Vestey’s Wave Hill cattle station into the unknown, and never looked back. The action they took on 23 August 1966 became known as the Wave Hill Walk-off, and changed the face of modern Australia. At our Dreaming place of Daguragu, they fought for Gurindji land rights and built our new home. Today, we ask you to come and celebrate their achievement. Let us share the meaning of the Walk-off with you today. - From the leaders of Daguragu and Kalkaringi communities. Video:
Freedom Day Festival August 19th - 21st 2016
50 years since Wave Hill Walk Off
Stockmen protest for equal wages
Birth of Aboriginal Land Rights
50 Years | Freedom Day Festival
ngumpin, kartiya karru-la jintaku-la - blackfella, whitefella unite as one
http://www.freedomday50.com.au/
Commemorating fifty years since the Wave Hill Walk Off
Celebrating the birth of Aboriginal Land Rights
Come and share our culture and vision for the future
twitter Freedom Day Festival @freedomday50
50th Anniversary Freedom Day Festival - Aug 19th - 21st 2016
In 1966, Vincent Lingiari gathered over 200 Gurindji and walked 16 km
to Jurnarni (Gordy Creek) and later to Daguragu, a Ngamanpurru (Conkerberry)
Dreaming place eight kilometres from Kalkaringi and now an established Gurindji
settlement. 'In 1975, after 9 years of persistent campaigning and a change to a
more liberal federal government, the then Australian Labor Prime Minister;
Gough Whitlam, flew to Daguragu to grant the Gurindji a lease for 3,236 square
kilometres of land around Daguragu.
Freedom Day | YouTube
General Festival Enquiries
P 1300 88 50 54
E info@freedomday50.com.au
Marketing & Media
John Burgess
Little Rocket
P 03 9014 7735
M 04 0609 2421
E john@littlerocket.com.au
Creative Director
Penny Smith
Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation
P 04 2717 7779
E karungkarniArt@gmail.com
Festival Director
Phil Smith
Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act: The past, present and future
Afternoon Concert
Take some time to sit down, unwind and enjoy the beautiful music that we have to offer throughout the afternoons.
RAYELLA
Lead singer Eleanor’s magical voice paired with her father’s skillful guitar playing and harmonising, captivate audiences with their honest, emotive tunes about family,
country and culture.
Sun: 12pm / Kalkaringi School Stage
JANEY DICKSON & ETHAN DICKSON
Janey and Ethan Dickson are another popular up and coming music duo from the Top End. They perform beautiful soulful music that will no doubt earn them a few new fans.
Sun: 2pm / Kalkaringi School Stage
REMI & N’FA JONES HIP HOP WORKSHOP
Two of Australia’s most experienced Hip Hop artists are joining forces to deliver a special one-off workshop. Learn from the best as they guide you through the basics of writing, dancing, and performing to your audience.
Sun: 3.30pm / Kalkaringi School Stage
SANDRIDGE BAND
Borroloola favourites Sandridge Band are known for their hard edged rock ‘n’ roll and reggae mix. Combining traditional and contemporary songs, they create music that reveals what life is like living in a small community.
Sun: 5pm / Kalkaringi School Stage
SUNDAY / KALKARINGI SCHOOL STAGE
NEIL MURRAY
Neil Murray first appeared in the early eighties as a founding member of the Warumpi Band, which over three albums and twenty years of performing propelled contemporary indigenous music into mainstream Australia, yielding such classic songs as My Island Home, Blackfella Whitefella, Fitzroy Crossing, Jailanguru Pakarnu, Stompin Ground, From the Bush and Waru. His songs explore the nations conscience and heartland, elevating themes of universal significance along the way. His live performance always captivates and inspires, winning new converts.
Sun: 6.30pm - 7.15pm / Warnkurr Concert Stage
ROBBIE MILLS
Local Larrakia/Kungarakan/Yangman/Gurindji singer songwriter Robert Mills plays a fusion of traditional Aboriginal music, funk, reggae and soul. He’s earned a reputation of encapsulating his audiences with his eclectic sets and amazing energy.
Sun: 7.30pm - 8.15pm / Warnkurr Concert Stage
SUNSET LIVERPOOL RIVER BAND
Sunset Liverpool Band come from the community of Maningrida in Arnhem Land, which has a long history of celebrating traditional music and culture. These guys continue the legacy combining an alluring mix of reggae grooves and traditional music.
Sun: 8.15pm - 9pm / Warnkurr Concert Stage
Punpurru (Everyone Together) Concert
SUNDAY / WARNKURR STAGE
SUNRIZE BAND
The Sunrize Band have been writing music since the early 80’s and toured extensively both internationally and nationally with the likes of Santana, Paul Kelly and Yothu Yindi. In 2012, Sunrize Band was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the National Indigenous Music Awards, recognising their great contribution to Australian Music. Still residing in their hometown, Sunrize Band members are still able to take care of traditional business whilst being the rock stars and role models of their community.
Sun: 9pm - 9.45pm / Warnkurr Concert Stage
MAMBALI BAND
We’re excited to welcome the Mambali Band from the community of Numbulwar, East Arnhem Land. The energetic Mambali Band infuse rock and desert reggae, highlighting their rich culture, dance and language.
Sun: 9.45pm - 10.30pm / Warnkurr Concert Stage
LAJAMANU TEENAGE BAND
Lajamanu Teenage Band exploded onto the national music scene over 20 years ago as a pioneer of the distinctive desert reggae sound. With feature articles in Rolling Stone Australia, gigs all over the Central Desert and Top End, as well as East Coast tours and reviews. Get set for an epic show as these local legends from Lajamanu (115km south of Kalkaringi) brings everyone to their feet to belt out their songs and dance the night away!
Sun: 10.30pm - 11.15pm / Warnkurr Concert Stage
