Baiame's Ngunnhu Festival returned to the banks of the Ba-wun river, Weir Park, Brewarrina for its 10th anniversary celebrating the Nations connected to one of the oldest human-made structures in the world.

Wednesday Opening Ceremony & Corroboree: gather at the world's oldest human-made structure & longest continual meeting place

The four-day festival commenced last Wednesday at sunset on the banks of the Ba-wun at Baiame’s Ngunnhu (Brewarrina Fish Traps) with the Opening Ceremony Corroboree by local Aunties-In-Residence, representing the neighbouring tribes including Missy Nicholls (Wailwan/Ngemba/Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay), Dianne Kelly (Barkindji/Wailwan) and Vera Nixon (Murrawarri).

This years Corroboree included performances from Milan Dhiiyaan, Mura Biri Gururu, Yulugi Marumali Dance Group, followed with an impromptu performance by dancers connected to Brewarrina, who perform in Dharug led Jannawi Dance Clan of Sydney.

Mura Biri Gururu aboriginal dancers- *Image By Jarrahmindi Bill*

Stall Alley Image by Stephen Wilson Barker

Thursday: Family & Cultural Day

Thursday’s Family & Culture Day kicked off with a market of fifteen food, arts, wares, and community stalls. The day's activities included a demonstration from local Brewarrina children and youth, showcasing their mixed dance and circus skills learnt from the school holiday program ‘Cirque De Bre’ led by Katie Leslie, Casus Creations & Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

A woodcarving workshop with Tommy Barker (Murrawarri/Yorta Yorta), and an emu egg carving workshop conducted by Glenn Dennis (Murrawarri/Ngemba). With Songs by the Barwon performance by Brad Hardy, Rehannah Russell and Shenae Hammond, alongside MC MunkiMuk.

William Haupt from Mura Biri Guru shared Murrawarri dance and song workshops with 20 participants who competed in the shake-a-leg competition.

Dandaloo Su (Su Lousick), Wiradjuri fashion designer curated the Fashion Parade to promote First People fashion designers from NSW that included Susanne Lousick, Belinda Boney (Wailwan/Murrawarri) and Aaron Kennedy (Yuin), with dressing by Belinda Boney and Urayne Warraweena.

With outfits modelled by Rehannah Russell, Koesha, Michaela Skuthorpe, Rhyan Clapham, Alicia Talbot, Julieanne Campbell and one of the young Mura Biri Guru make dancers.

Fashion Parade - *Image By Stephen Wilson Barker*

At sunset Michelle Blakeney hosted a photography and media exhibition titled Your Festival, Your Stories, at the Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum and the Brewarrina Historical Society, curating a collection of over 500 images spanning 10 years of Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival.

Thursday was capped with a digital viewing of the hit play Blaque Showgirls by Nakkiah Lui presented by festival partners Griffin Theatre.

*Blaque Showgirls* by Nakkiah Lui - *Image By Stephen Wilson Barker*

Nova Gina- Koori Gras Divas 2025. Image by Stephen Wilson Barker

Friday: Koori Gras Divas return to kountry

On Friday Koori Gras Divas MC’d by Katie Leslie featuring First Peoples drag performers Nova Gina, Sarah Moany, Destiny Haz Arrived,and Bourkes own Petina Smith, glitzing up the community hall for a colourful rainbow evening.

Koori Gras Divas 2025. Image by Stephen Wilson Barker

A dance interval had the who community up doing the nutbush. The divas joined the community in celebration and danced the night away. With a dance competition MC’D by our incredible Sound Engineer Ashley Donovan.

Big thank you to the direct support from @aboriginalaffairsnsw

Saturday: Fish Feast and Music Concert

Saturday concluded the festival with the Music concert and fish feast cooked up by Retta Ferguson, Robbie Dungay and Tony Nargy With a line-up of music acts including Songs by the Barwon performance by Brad Hardy, Shenae Hammond and Mello Ferguson. Followed by Kelsey Iris, Greenhand Band & Dobby closing out the day.

Big thank you to sponsors Aboriginal Affairs NSW,Creative Australia and Create NSW.

Greenhand Band at the Festival - Image by Stephen Wilson Barker

Lily Shearer, Artistic Director & Co-founder of Moogahlin Performing Arts said, “Congratulations to our Regional Projects Coordinator, Megan Kelly who has been supported by Producer, Leroy Parsons, Producer Intern, Aroha Pehi, Digital Producer, Stephen Wlson Barker and Executive Producer, Natano Fa’anana.

Community of Brewarrina at the Festival - Image by Stephen Wilson Barker

This social impact cultural arts and community development project has enabled a sense of pride and ownership of this significant site and annual event. We can not do this alone and I personally would love to thank my home community of Brewarrina! I’m certainly looking forward to the next iteration of Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival led by Megan Kelly”.

A Reflection on Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival 2025

Wednesday Opening Ceremony & Corroboree: gather at the world's oldest human-made structure & longest continual meeting place

Thursday: Family & Cultural Day

Friday: Koori Gras Divas return to kountry

Saturday: Fish Feast and Music Concert

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