The Koorie Heritage Trust celebrated its 30th birthday on Saturday 19 September 2015 with a free public concert in Melbourne's Federation Square.
I arrived early while the first visitors took their seats in provided deck chairs.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
The Koorie Heritage Trust is one of the oldest community owned Aboriginal arts and cultural centres in Australia. It recently relocated from King Street to vibrant Federation Square.
I entered the Yarra Building and stepped into the retail shop where authentic South East Aboriginal designed and crafted products are for sale.
In the gallery next to the Koorie Shop I photographed a 2009 bronze statue of Lionel Rose by Stephen Glassborow; a kangaroo skin art work by Mandy Nicholson: Map of Port Philip Bay, c. 2000; and a recent art work of kangaroo skins by Mitch Mahoney Boon: Yan Yan Gorrinj Bunj Koolin (Growing up), 2015.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 | | |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
By then it was time to stroll towards the Federation Square stage where the show was about to begin.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
The concert was hosted by Kamahi King's female alter ego Constantina Bush who entertained the crowd with her black humour and some songs.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
The Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri Women's dance group was represented by Mandy Nicholson and her two daughters. Nephew Damien Nicholson played the didgeridoo.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
We were treated to performances by the Koorie Tiddas Choir and Jessie Lloyd's Mission Songs Project which featured John Wayne Parsons, Monica Weightman, Robert Champion and Tiriki Onus.
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Jessie Lloyd © Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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Tiriki Onus © Barbara Oehring 2015 |
The team Indigenous Hip Hop Projects wore colourful tops. The audience was encouraged to repeat the powerful words on the reverse side of the shirts.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
After an energetic show Indigenous Hip Hop Projects invited the crowd to dance.
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |
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© Barbara Oehring 2015 |