Entertainment
21 September, 2025
Island and Aboriginal culture come together as one
THE wet weather didn’t deter people at the 18th annual Big Talk One Fire cultural festival, a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through dance, art, storytelling and community.
The day at Munro Martin Parklands last Saturday opened with a traditional welcome and smoking ceremony led by senior Traditional Owner Hendrick Fourmile, joined by civic leaders, including Mulgrave MP Terry James.
The atmosphere deepened with a moving didgeridoo performance by Shaun Creek, a KuKu Yalanji cultural educator, followed by the Yidi Dancers of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, who paid tribute to the late cultural leader Gudju Gudju Fourmile in a powerful opening performance.
Audiences were treated to an afternoon and evening of high-energy cultural dance, featuring intergenerational groups from across Gimuy (Cairns), Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait.
Standouts included the Boigu Island Dance Group, Mayi Wumba Dance Troupe, Kapay Kuyan Dance Group, Buuri Guuman Irribamuu, and Malu Buay Gizlam-Torres Strait Dancers, whose ancient songs and vibrant movements brought the stage to life.
A special highlight was the appearance of Alkumo Malpa Paman from Coen in Cape York, finalists at the 2023 Laura Quinkan Indigenous Dance Festival.
Beyond the stage, festivalgoers immersed themselves in a wide range of interactive workshops, from weaving with artists Sandy Scott and Andrea Brim to jewellery-making with Jineecka Don and Dorothy Edwards.
Children delighted in dance lessons with Jiritju Fourmile, while visitors also explored meditation, didgeridoo workshops, face painting and creative play.
The marketplace buzzed with stalls showcasing weaving, jewellery, textiles and contemporary art, alongside delicious offerings from food vendors.
From piping hot doughnuts to traditional home-cooked curries and soul food by Blaq Pearl, the aromas and flavours matched the spirit of celebration.
