As anticipation builds for what is sure to be another stacked lineup for Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016, organisers have announced they are joining forces with Boomerang Festival, Australia’s premier Indigenous music and culture event.
Straight off the back of winning the Best Major Event award at The North Coast Tourism Awards this weekend, Bluesfest have announced Boomerang Festival will now host their own space next to Bluesfest’s Jambalaya Stage.
“The Boomerang precinct at Bluesfest is all about cherishing culture and ending the disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australia,” explains Bluesfest founder Peter Noble.
“This intergenerational exchange will allow our loyal audiences a unique hands-on engagement and experience, while allowing the Boomerang Festival to build audiences and find support as a future a stand-alone festival.”
Boomerang has faced its share of tumults in recent years. After falling dangerously below required ticket quotas back in 2013, Noble spoke to Fairfax to voice his concerns about what he viewed as a disconnect between Indigenous and white Australia.
“How many people actually know an Australian indigenous person or have ever met one properly? Here’s your big chance… maybe you would be enriched as a person? At one level apathy equals cultural apartheid,” he said. “If people remain apathetic, what that means is we don’t care about our indigenous Australians.”
Boomerang was nominated for Best New Event at the 2014 Australian Events Awards and Best Indigenous Tourism for the 2014 NSW State Tourism Awards and received critical, industry, and audience acclaim, but was unable to secure funding for an event this year.
Boomerang is managed and programmed from an Aboriginal perspective, dedicated to bringing music lovers unique Indigenous performances and interactive experiences, opening their eyes to Australia’s important Indigenous art and culture.
“Our vision is to integrate culture in peoples’ everyday life,” explains Boomerang’s Rhoda Roberts. “Having ready access to live culture from the globes first peoples is essential for our future as a cultural leader worldwide.”
“The growth of Boomerang and the opportunity to have a focus at Bluesfest has many positive, layered outcomes, most importantly increasing community pride and wellbeing, and continuing the region’s vibrant philosophy as a leading festival destination.”
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Roberts and Noble have been working to ensure Boomerang survives and thrives despite past obstacles, recognising the importance of the ground-breaking event and the unique opportunity it provides for Australia’s punters and Indigenous performers.
“Bluesfest will come alive with this new family-friendly precinct offering an inspiring, enlivening & diverse program of dance, language, story, talks & ideas, carving, weaving, and traditional healing programs by some of Australia and the world’s foremost masters of their art,” a festival statement reads.
As we await the full program, which organisers promise will be released soon, Bluesfest organisers certainly deserve a pat on the back for their efforts to promote Australia’s important Indigenous culture and giving it such a grand platform to be appreciated by Aussie punters.
