Activities
Click on the links below to see photos from a range of Wirlomin group activities.
2024
Annual General Meeting, Williams, November 2024
Song workshop and recording, Clontarf Aboriginal College, Perth, October 2024
In October, Wirlomin members came to a workshop at Clontarf Aboriginal College which was filmed in collaboration with Fremantle Football Club and Curtin University for the Yoowarl Koorl Project.
Handover event, Wilyun Pools Farm, September 2024
In September, Wirlomin members gathered at Wilyun Pools Farm with the previous farm owners and organisations who have supported the transition of the farm management to Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories.
Illustration workshop, Wilyun Pools Farm, August 2024
Visit to Mamang site at Frenchman’s Bay, Albany, June 2024
Exhibition of Wirlomin art works hosted at Albany Town Hall, June 2024
Mamang story workshop, Albany, June 2024
Family film night, Albany, June 2024
2023
Annual General Meeting, Williams, November 2023
New story presentations, Albany, October 2023
In October we held a family event in Albany where we presented drafts of three revitalised stories that have been passed down from the Elders. We handed out a printed copy of one of them, ‘Wirrawoorliny/Whirlwind’, to the members present to take home and share with their families.
Festival of Voice Performance, Denmark, June 2023
After the Chosen workshop the day before, a group of us travelled to Denmark to present as part of the Festival of Voice. Our presentation involved reading and showing illustrations from a number of Wirlomin stories, and singing songs linked to those stories.
Quote from Aunty Iris Woods: “At Denmark we encouraged our young people to join us on stage and present to the audience. WOW – they did me proud to hear them on stage. Way to go girls.”
Chosen: Stories & Songs, Albany, June 2023
In early June, Wirlomin members from Perth and Albany came together for a full day workshop, telling stories, singing, learning and sharing culture. The workshop was preparation for a presentation at the Denmark Festival of Voice the following day.
Quote from Aunty Glenda Williams: “Love listening to songs of long ago, being proud that many are still learning and getting involved with the language and songs of our forefathers and taking part in all the sessions of the programs.”
Illustration and presentation skills workshops, Albany, April 2023
In April, we held illustration workshops in Albany to begin development of three new Wirlomin books. We gathered at Gilcreek Scout Camp next to the King River in Albany where we shared the songs and stories that inspire the new books. Noongar and Ait Koedal illustrator Tyrown Waigana facilitated the art sessions.
The next day some members stayed for a workshop on what we could do as presenters for festivals and other occasions, practicing reading Wirlomin stories to an audience.
Kayang Walk, Fitzgerald National Park, March 2023
In March, a group of Wirlomin members camped in the Fitzgerald River National Park to commemorate our late matriarch Hazel Brown, a new annual event we’re calling the ‘Kayang Walk’. We yarned up stories around the fire and enjoyed being together on Country.
2022
Annual General Meeting, Williams, November 2022
Chosen: Metro family and Elders, Albany, October 2022
Community presentation, Hopetoun, September 2022
In mid-September a group of us travelled to Hopetoun to present as part of the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show. Our presentation was called ‘Songlines in the Fitz’, and it involved showing an animated map that follows the Dwoort Baal Kaat story, the dogs who turn into seals. We also sung two songs associated with that story and then took a bus of VIP’s to one of the Dwoort Baal Kaat locations and did a smoking ceremony. To wrap up we had lunch together back in Hopetoun. This event was part of our partnership with South Coast Natural Resources Management.
Community workshop, Albany, August 2022
In August we got together to talk through the presentation at the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show in September. We sang some songs together to practice for the presentation.