Utopian Dream workshop

Uncle Martin Ballangarry at a Utopian Dream workshop.

WITH boomerangs in hand, Uncle Martin Ballangarry discussed indigenous culture and demonstrated his method of ceremonial movement at a Utopian Dream workshop yesterday.

The audience was treated to an eclectic session with this extraordinary public figure.

A Gumbaynggirr elder from Bowraville, Uncle Martin was the first Aboriginal councillor at Nambucca Shire Council and a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for his work with Indigenous youths in the local community.

A phone went off in the crowd. “That’s a message stick,” he said.

The workshop was part of the Chillax Social Day.

The festival’s artistic director, Travers Ross, says he is taking donations for Queensland flood victims and Sunday night’s Hullabaloo will be dedicated to this cause.

“We have volunteer staff from Brisbane who are worried for their family and friends but have been doing amazing work and staying positive,” Travers said.

“We will be collecting the whole way through but Sunday will be a special fundraising night with artists doing strange and interesting things to attract donations.”

Hullabaloo is a night of live music and a showcase of what participants have learnt. It will be held at C.ex Coffs this Sunday at 7pm.

There is plenty of action before this closing event so get your dancing shoes on or sit back and enjoy the colour, creativity and culture that is Utopian Dream.