Moogahlin Performing Arts

14/11/2024

13/11/2024

🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT

Koori Mail appoints Rhoda Roberts AO to new leadership role 👏🏾

The Koori Mail - Australia’s leading and longest running national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander print newspaper - welcomes Rhoda Roberts AO, to the role of Cultural Lead for a two-year appointment.

Rhoda is a proud Widjabul Wiabal woman from the Bundjalung nation and will take on the leadership role following the departure of CEO Naomi Moran, who has been appointed as one of three NSW Treaty Commissioners.

The Koori Mail is proudly based in Lismore on Widjabul Wiabal Country, and will see its leadership continue with someone at home on Country.

As Cultural Lead of the Koori Mail - a 100% Aboriginal-owned, run and self-funded Indigenous media organisation - Rhoda brings with her a dedicated legacy of work associated with the Indigenous media sector to the role, and her incredible trailblazing work as a visionary for First Nations arts.

The Koori Mail Board of Directors are focused on the appointment being centred on the example of cultural leadership for Indigenous ways of doing business.

This exciting move honours the valuable impact leaders within the Indigenous media sector can bring for the future vision of the Koori Mail, and how this leadership plays a role in advocating more broadly for the sustainability of the Indigenous media sector.

In taking utmost care and consideration for how to best present the leadership of the organisation as a forward facing role, the Koori Mail looks forward to the Cultural Lead role actively highlighting the importance of Indigenous voices through Indigenous led media, and First Nations storytelling across various platforms of media.

“Rhoda has planted a lot of seeds in her time to establish many platforms for the voices of our people to be heard, and stories of our people to be told." says Chairperson, Trevor Kapeen.

"The Koori Mail has been operating since 1991 not just as a successful news publication, but a successful independent Aboriginal business. Also through her leadership the Koori Mail will continue to spearhead as a leading Indigenous media organisation and a self-determined business, now and for the future." Mr Kapeen said.

"Legacies of work like Rhoda’s shine a spotlight on how vital our national Indigenous media sector is, because there are still so many stories to be shared, and so the Koori Mail and its leadership stays committed to amplifying the voices our people from around the country.”

The Koori Mail acknowledges the importance of succession planning for future leadership roles, and is thrilled to have Rhoda’s expertise and insights as Cultural Lead in providing mentoring and training and development opportunities for First Nations people to pursue leading roles in the Indigenous media sector.

Outgoing CEO Naomi Moran says that the future of the Koori Mail is in good hands, and highlights her personal experience and the value the Koori Mail plays as a prime example in creating pathways for First Nations people to be at the helm of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media organisations.

“Our people must be leaders of our own organisations, now." Ms Moran said.

"We are capable, we are skilled, and we know our people and our stories better than anyone else. The Koori Mail, led by a 100% Aboriginal Board of Directors, gave me that opportunity and pathway as a young person starting out in the sector because they knew it was the right thing to do. And so I grew up in the Indigenous media sector and I was taught by, and learned from, so many trailblazers including Rhoda along the way." she said.

"I know that through her leadership the Koori Mail will continue to give opportunities for our mob to lead in the same way I was able to. Rhoda is an exceptional person who has a truly admirable legacy in media and the arts. Her ability to lead the Koori Mail and nurture someone else in their potential is just how its done in our culture and our communities."

"So this isn’t about someone coming in to ‘fill my shoes’ when I go. This is about me placing my shoes beside someone who wore them first. Rhoda has shown me what leadership looks like in her, and then she and so many others have seen that leadership in me. And the beautiful circles of leading, teaching, guiding and passing on of knowledge will continue. How wonderful that this happens in a place like the Koori Mail. Rhoda is the new caretaker of an incredible organisation that I have been proud to have worked with for most of my life, and in the near future the responsibility will be handed on to more Black leaders within our sector."

"I am so humbled to be sharing the end of my journey with the Koori Mail with the appointment of someone who also has a very special connection to the Indigenous media sector, and to the Koori Mail.”

Rhoda’s appointment comes as a tribute to her Father the late Frank Roberts, who once dreamt about the idea of a Black-owned newspaper, and was part of driving the establishment of the Koori Mail with Owen Carriage, a Walbunja man who owned the Koori Mail prior to the Koori Mail being placed into the ownership of five local Bundjalung community organisations.

As a Bundjalung organisation representing First Nations people and communities from around the nation, Rhoda says her appointment is an honour and she looks forward to supporting everything that the Koori Mail represents.

“It’s such an honour to work with the Koori Mail. Under the guidance of CEO Naomi Moran, the Koori Mail has flourished as a powerful voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and stories," Ms Roberts says.

"It’s an honour to continue this unique legacy on Bundjalung lands, working with a passionate Board and team to ensure our communities’ opinions and expressions resonate far and wide."

"As Cultural Lead, I'm committed to exploring new content avenues, while upholding the unique spirit of the Koori Mail."

"Together, we’ll ensure Koori Mail continues to thrive as Australia’s leading voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories.," Ms Roberts said.

"This role is about strengthening our foundation and expanding our reach, so our community’s stories resonate far and wide.”

The Cultural Lead role will report directly to the Board of Directors and will be supported by Koori Mail’s Business Management team.

🖤💛❤️💙🤍💚

➡️ For media please contact Naomi Moran on 0499 991 625 or email [email protected]

➡️ For general inquiries about the Koori Mail please contact our office on 02 6622 2666 OR visit www.koorimail.com

〰️ For editorial content please contact [email protected]
〰️ For print advertising please contact [email protected]
〰️ For web advertising please contact [email protected]
〰️ For subscriptions please contact [email protected]

Photo: The Koori Mail, the Blak Heart of the Bundjalung nation celebrates the appointment of Rhoda Roberts AO as Cultural Lead. Image courtesy of Natalie Grono/The Guardian.

12/11/2024

Moogahlin Performing Arts: Board, Staff and Communities bids co-founder Liza-Mare Syron Farewell

Since 2007 Liza-Mare alongside Lily Shearer & Frederick Copperwaite worked tirelessly incorporating the company, establishing an artist-run Board and worked on funding applications for project work (2007 - 2010). Liza-Mare took a break from Moogahlin to join Create NSW and returned in 2014. Co-developing strategic plans, working project-based (2014 - 2016), and secured four year funding from Creative Australia (2017 - 2028).

Liza-Mare has been a key dramaturg, director and mentor in Moogahlin’s Yellamundie Festival from 2013 - 2021, guiding several First People’s works-in -development that have gone on to full productions.
Liza-Mare’s Moogahlin directing and producing credits include. Associate Director The Visitors by Jane Harrison (2023) ,Ngapa Yaan Nibi Aanmitaagzi (Water Speak) as lead Artist with Aanmitaagzi from Nipissing First Nations Sydney Biennale (2022), Produced The Visitors by Jane Harrison (2020),The Weekend (2019), Rainbows End (2019) and was a Co-Lead Artist on Broken Glass (2018).

Liza-Mare crafted and drove Koori Gras (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024) in partnership with the Sydney Gay and Le***an Mardi Gras and Sydney World Pride (2023). Koori Gras is a flagship of q***r programs creating space for First People drag artists, new and established.

Since 2020 Liza-Mare has been Mooghalin’s Senior Artistic Associate, a member of our Company Leadership Team and a Blakademic at the University of New South Wales. Writing papers about the process of making First Nations work, internationally about our unique practices and processes of making new work with community, and/or for stage.

Over the past 17 years, Liza-Mare Syron, alongside co-founders Fred and Lily, have built Moogahlin from project based, or part-time capacity. Into a company that now has seven (7) staff members and a diverse performing arts program that is built on a partnership model that brings First People’s practices into mainstream spaces. Liza-Mare, Thank you for your dedication, diligence and legacy you leave for the next generations.

07/11/2024

Happy Foundation Day !!!! Moogahlin Performing Arts turn 17 years old today. Founded in 2007, Moogahlin has developed and presented new First Peoples stories in the international performing arts sector.

We are so privileged to be a part of the growing canon of stories by our people on the national stage.

05/11/2024

ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR A SENIOR PRODUCER Do you have experience with project management particularly in contracting, scheduling, logistics, relationship building and budgeting? Do…

29/10/2024

**EXTENDED: The clock is ticking! Applications for NSWALC’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) close on the 13th of November.

Don’t miss your chance, find out more and apply now www.alc.org.au.

29/10/2024

Please click the link to complete this form.

10/10/2024

A very special Auntie-In-Residence for Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival 2015 - 2024

From Lily and her family.

Dearest Family and Friends,
Yesterday mum finally found peace and left us at 3pm and joined our Dad and family on the other side.Tonight go outside look up at the sky and she will be looking out for all of us like she always has. We are so grateful to have a strong matriarch who led and loved us throughout her lifetime. We are grateful for all she has done.
Love Lily, George and Lawrence.

From the Moogs team
Aunty Noeleen was at every Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival rain hail and shine. Hosting the Artists-In-Residence program (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). For many years we prepped the fish feast in her backyard and indeed staged much of the production planning from there. Her home was always open, we would have barbecues, lunches, cups of teas, and her favourite dessert enjoyed by all ice cream, jelly, custard and cream We are grateful for her guidance, Her support of brokering community relationships with our artists for the festival.

19/09/2024

Mob Tix are available for Big Name, No Blankets Brisbane Festival season. Jump on to the Brisbane Festival website and follow the prompts to get a discounted mob ticket.
This is an exclusive deal for mob only.

Big Name, No Blankets follows the journey of founding member Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher as the narrator played by Baykali Ganambarr. He combines intimate storytelling with larger-than-life rock’n’roll songs, weaving in culture from Central Australia and Northeast Arnhem Land in two ancestral languages – Luritja and Gumatj – as the band navigates divides between bush and city, white and black, fame and family.

The Brisbane Festival season runs for two nights only on the 20 & 21 September at QPAC Concert Hall. More information here: https://www.ilbijerri.com.au/event/big-name-no-blankets/

12/09/2024

We are thrilled to announce that our Artist Director & Co-CEO Rachael Maza will be the Co-Chair of the inaugural First Nations Board for the Arts.

Maza says "What a privilege it is to have this opportunity to continue to advocate and support our artists by championing self-determined and sovereign practice."

The Board will oversee the work of First Nations Arts within Creative Australia to support and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, enhance sustainable career pathways for First Nations people in the arts and increase opportunities to grow First Nations audiences. The First Nations Board will also help guide the creation of significant First Nations works and increase their scale and reach.

Rachael will Co-Chair with Philip Watkins, and the other members of the Board include Clint Bracknell, Pauline Clague, Jeanette James, Deborah Mailman AM, Daniel Riley, Rhoda Roberts AO, Dennis Stokes, and Jared Thomas.

12/09/2024

On Tuesday, 10 September, The Visitors by Jane Harrison 2024 Australian Regional Tour had curtains in Darwin.

This was the biggest, longest tour in theatre since the pandemic hit. Travelling over three months, six states/territories, twenty six venues, twenty nine performances to nearly eight thousand audiences that witnessed this story.

A total round trip of twenty thousand kilometres for the cast crew and set (we googled it).

The cast have given all of themselves night after night to their roles; physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. John, Stephen, Sean, Beau, Dalara, James and Zoe. You've all undertaken a mammoth marathon and you deserve to enjoy that warm Darwin weather.

This production was made possible by the incredible production crew of Bec, Pete, Jade and Keiran, who worked tirelessly and over and above expectations.

On behalf of Jane Harrison, Wesley Enoch, Moogahlin, Arts on Tour and Sydney Theatre Company we want to give all of our love to the finest cast and crew. Tours and shows like this aren’t easy however, this cast and crew really cared for this story and have carried it to every corner of these beautiful lands. Through the characters of this story they highlight and share some of the unique qualities that are quintessentially First Peoples.

"Who are we, around this circle? Yes, we’re the warriors of our mobs. We’re the craftsmen. Scientists, Healers. We’re cultured. We have languages, more than one. We trade. We have ceremonies and songs. We have lore. We have protocols. And we share one particular protocol, and that is we welcome those who pass through our country". - Wallace's speech pg 19 The Visitors.

Warami

06/09/2024

Warning: First People's be advised this post contains the images of the recently departed.

VALE Uncle Wesley Marne. Staff and Board of Moogahlin Performing Arts extend our sincere condolences to Uncle Wes’s family, friends and all the communities he has worked with.

We remember Uncle Wes as a Cultural Leader and Elder, a master storyteller and a genuine gentleman. He has been an Elder-In-Residence with us at Moogahlin for many years sharing his stories of the Dreamtime, Creation and 102 years of his life experiences. Through his words of wisdom, his earnest nature and his gentle powerful presence. Anyone that got to share a moment of his time got 100% of his attention, he had a way of making us all feel special.

Today, as we lay Uncle Wes to rest with our Sky family we remember the legacy he has left us as he truly was a walking living library book. Until we meet again our dearest friend, Uncle and Elder rest well at your campfire in the sky.

Images - 1. Firebucket Yirramboi development Jamie James 2. Ngai Lo Wah Murry Tula 3. Ngai Lo Wah Murry Tula Jamie James Amanda James 4. Ngai Lo Wah Murry Tula Jamie James 5. Firebucket Yirramboi Jamie James 6. Blacktown Native Institute Anna Kucera 7. Firebucket Yirramboi Jamie James 8. Firebucket Yirramboi development Jamie James 9. Ngai Lo Wah Murry Tula Jamie James 10. Firebucket Yirramboi Jamie James 11. The Visitors 2023 Stephen Wilson Barker

05/09/2024

The Visitors by Jane Harrison is nearing the end of it's twenty six venue nation wide tour. Our next stop is Bindal country, Ayr where it will play at the Burdekin on Sep 7th followed by its final performance on Larrakia country in Darwin at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on Sep 10th.

If you have a seen The Visitors we would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to add a comment below.

30/08/2024

29/08/2024

The Visitors by Jane Harrison only has five theatres remaining of its regional tour of Australia. This award winning work leaves Birpai country heading towards South East Queensland where it will play at The Empire Theatre in Toowoomba on Aug 31s before it embarks further north playing in Bundaberg Sep 3rd and Rockhampton Sep 5th.

Grab your tickets at Moogahlin's website and see the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards winning show that thousands of Australian's have experienced across the country.

29/08/2024

27/08/2024

23/08/2024

The Visitors Australian tours enters it's final leg through Queensland and the Northern Territory. Grab your tickets at the venues below and experience the 2023 Sydney Theatre Award Winner of Best Main Stage Production and Best Ensemble.

Toowoomba | Aug 31
Bundaberg | Sep 3
Rockhampton | Sep 5
Burdekin | Sep 7
Darwin | Sep 10

January 1788, seven clan leaders gather. A mysterious fleet of giant nawi amasses in the harbour. A momentous decision is waiting to be made. Send these strangers on their way or welcome them?

Visitors Leave. Right?

Tickets
https://www.moogahlin.org/thevisitors2024tour