This bi-annual event at the
Athenaeum Theatre was just spectacular, and there was a great turnout from people of diverse age groups and backgrounds. The
Koorie Heritage Trust hosted the event in order to raise much-needed funds for Indigenous youth programs. The gala was proudly supported by Glenn Elston and the
Australian Shakespeare Theatre Company who donated the venue to the Koorie Heritage Trust for the night.
The MC of the event, Tammy Anderson was delightful. It was appropriate to choose someone who has worked with Indigenous youth for the past 11 years to host this event. The event opened with a performance of music from The Sunshine Sisters and King Kadu. A great expression of art and culture overall. Excellent performances from James Henry, Wendy Stapleton and Lindsay Field, who has worked with John Farnham for over 25 years, was the musical director for Bran Nue Dae and is from the original production of Hair, provided great entertainment and well deserved standing ovations. Deborah Conway sang songs with meaning, and Dave Thornton from The Project provided incredible, juicy comedy. All enjoyed the comedy, music and dance. All of these great artists gave freely of their time to assist in raising funds for the Indigenous youth through the Koorie Heritage Trust fundraising Gala. Including Phunktional, who were just brilliant and alive, performing great hip-hop dancing. Esteemed Aboriginal artist Noel Tovey presented 2011 recipient Dancer Eloise Yunkaporta with the Noel Tovey achievement award.
Who is the Koorie Heritage Trust?The Koorie Heritage Trust is a not for profit Aboriginal community organisation set up in 1985, and was established to protect and preserve the wellbeing and living culture of South-east Victoria's indigenous Australian culture and their heritage. The Koorie Heritage Trust is an Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which provides an Education & Training Facility through its (RTO) unit, with Three Exhibition Gallery Spaces, an authentic Indigenous Gift shop, a specialised Resource Library and an Accredited Museum open 7 days.
Become a friend of the Koorie Heritage Trust by joining the MOOGJI Club membership and enjoy the many benefits of the Koorie Heritage Trust.
All proceeds (ticket and artwork sales) from the Gala Event will go towards a youth program called Blak Traks designed to achieve reconciliation in raising increasing awareness of unity between all races and backgrounds. The Koorie Heritage Trust was awarded Hall of Fame status by Tourism Victoria in 2007. The Trust is doing tremendous work and advocacy support for the Aboriginal community, and this bi-annual event helps the Trust raise much needed funds to assist the with Indigenous community youth programs run by the Koorie Heritage Trust.
The artworks available for purchase at the event
Koorie Heritage Trust Inc. 295 King Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Telephone 61 3 8622 2600 – Facsimile 61 3 9602 4333
For more information on the
Koorie Heritiage Trust, please visit the website and
Facebook profile.
