Each year the festival weekend concludes with a stunning First Nations event, as the sun sets over the beautiful Buderim Village Park. Directed by Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Traditional Owner and Festival Elder, Aunty Helena Gulash, this event is a powerful testimony to her belief that Indigenous art-making plays a critical role in the continuation of culture, story-telling and identity.

This year’s concert, Celebrating Kabi Kabi Country, speaks to the landmark decision by the Federal Government in 2024 to grant Native Title rights to the Kabi Kabi peoples, the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our festival takes place – the Sunshine Coast.

As in past years, this closing performance of the festival is a ‘conversation’ between First Nations and classical music through an innovative collaboration with the internationally renowned ensemble Topology, and other First Nations singers/songwriters/dancers/visual artists, and interweaves traditional and contemporary storylines.

Join us at dusk and under the stars in Buderim Village Park, to celebrate the end of the festival long-weekend, in a celebratory cross-form concert that will inspire hope as we find better ways to walk forward together into our country’s future.

ARTISTS

Helena is a Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) woman whose extensive career in First Nations Affairs spans almost 40 years. Currently Helena works as a Consultant in Indigenous Arts and Cultural Management through her own business - Helena Gulash Consulting
Helena has provided strategic leadership in the various senior positions, within federal and state Government agencies. She worked as the Director of the Queensland Indigenous Arts and Marketing and Export Agency (QIAMEA) within the Queensland Government, National Aboriginal Education Committee (NAEC) and Assistant Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Queensland, - Federal Government, before moving to the Sunshine Coast.
Helena is passionate about the potential of the First Nations Arts and Cultural industry to effect positive change for Indigenous peoples in Australia. She currently serves as a member of the inaugural Indigenous Advisory Committee to the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA and is a member of the Sunshine Coast Arts Advisory Board and of the Vice-Chancellors Arts Acquisition Advisory Committee University of the Sunshine Coast. (USC). Helena has been involved in the establishment of several Indigenous community cultural organisations and has had a long involvement in Native Title research and in Kabi Kabi Native Title claim processes. She has been engaged in several key Arts & Cultural projects in the Sunshine Coast region.
Raised on the Sunshine Coast-Gubbi Gubbi country by his grandmother, Lyndon’s arts practice represents his deep connection to Country and depicts stories of his region’s flora and fauna and creation stories. He is involved in delivering cultural awareness to schools throughout the area. More recently he has been recognised for his outstanding visual art achievements, songs in language, and his innovative collaboration with Dr Leah Barclay in site-specific sound art, Listening in the Wild, which won the prestigious 2021 Award for Excellence in Experimental Music. Despite such impressive audiences as the Queen, the Dalai Lama and past Prime Ministers, a humble Lyndon Davis says, "what would have meant more than anything to me would have been to perform in front of my nan and uncles if they were still here today." Equally impressive is the recognition Lyndon has received from the Sunshine Coast University being awarded the Senior Fellowship Award to honour his services over the last fifteen years. Lyndon says he's driven to be a positive role model for the next generation. "I'd describe myself as a big fig tree - a totem that was passed down to me by an Elder. It houses animals, provides food and shelter, has strong roots and is well grounded.”
Gubbi Gubbi Dance is one of Queensland’s most renowned Indigenous dance and song groups. Gubbi Gubbi is the language spoken by the traditional custodians of the area. Artist, educator and cultural performer Lyndon Davis, a direct descendant of the Gubbi Gubbi people, founded the troupe in 1996, bringing together family members and local young Indigenous people to celebrate the dances of their homelands. They have gained a strong rapport throughout their community taking great pride in their culture and feeling blessed to share their knowledge. Gubbi Gubbi Dance provides an unforgettable cultural experience. Their magical presentation of song and dance leaves the audience spellbound and shares important cultural knowledge with audiences of all ages.
Deline Briscoe, a talented singer-songwriter from the Yalanji people, has been making waves in the Australian music scene with her powerful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and collaborations with industry legends. As a proud Indigenous artist, Deline's music weaves together stories of her culture, community, and personal experiences.
Deline's musical journey has seen her share the stage and studio with iconic artists such as Archie Roach, Bart Willoughby, and Emma Donovan. These collaborations have not only showcased her versatility but also demonstrated her commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and stories through music.
In addition to her music, Deline is a savvy entrepreneur, running her own business, Gaba Musik, alongside her partner, Airileke Ingram. Gaba Musik serves as a platform for Deline to produce, publish and share music, supporting established and emerging Indigenous artists.
Deline's music is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and dedication to her craft. With a voice that can soar from soft and soothing to powerful and soul-stirring.
As a Yalanji woman, Deline's music is deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. She draws inspiration from her people's stories, language, and traditions, ensuring that her artistry remains authentic and meaningful.
Through her music and business ventures, Deline Briscoe is an inspiring example of Indigenous excellence and innovation. Her collaborations, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices make her a shining star in the Australian music industry. Keep an ear out for Deline's soulful sounds and an eye on Gaba Musik, as this talented singer-songwriter continues to make her mark.
Fred Leone is one of the Butchulla Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. He comes from the Garrwa and Butchulla tribes.
Fred’s role as a Songman sees him as one of the custodians of the traditional songs of the Butchulla tribe and one of a handful of keepers and custodians of their language. Fred is active in his role as a Songman, ensuring that contemporary Butchulla stories are embedded into the collective memory of the tribes oral histories and ceremonies going forward. As a Songman, his primary instrument is his voice, yet he uses Kuluru (Garrwa language for Yidaki aka Didgeridoo), boomerangs (Bargan in Butchulla language), Emu egg (Ngurunj in Butchulla language), tree branches, sand and other objects from K’gari to form his traditional sound pallet.
Fred has been touring the world for over a decade, and has shared the stage with the likes of Public Enemy, Xavier Rudd, John Butler, as well as receiving invites to collaborate and play with contemporary artists such as Jeff Lang, Tenzan Choegyal, Xavier Rudd, Birdz & Amanda Palmer and many more.
Recently, his guest appearance singing in Butchulla on his cousin Birdz’s track Bagi-la-m Bargan helped see the song become a hit, with millions of streams, a placement at #30 on Triple J’s hottest 100 as well as taking the top prize of Best Song Composed for Screen in 2022 in the coveted APRA Screen Music Awards. In 2023 Fred performed his huge hit single, Yirimi Gundir live at the AFL Dreamtime at the 'G match to huge acclaim.
Established in 1997, Brisbane-based Topology are established leaders in musical creativity in Australia, prolific creators of new original work, expert collaborators across genres and art forms and award- winning music educators. With a well-established reputation for their signature work, the quintet experiments with surprising combinations of genres, theatrical staging, and cross art form collaboration to create thought- provoking music experiences for audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and tastes. Resident Artist at Brisbane Powerhouse for 18 years, Topology has an extensive discography, produced countless evening-length works, presented an award-winning concert series, and toured extensively nationally and internationally. The founding members of Topology are John Babbage (composer, saxophone), Robert Davidson (composer, bass), Bernard Hoey (composer, viola), Christa Powell (violin) and Kylie Davidson (piano, ’97-’11), with Therese Milanovic (piano) formally joining the ensemble in 2009 Topology are famous for the breadth and depth of their collaborations. Undaunted by stylistic barriers, the quintet has created stunning new work with partners in theatre (Geoffrey Rush, Neil Armfield, Queensland Theatre Company), classical music (the Brodsky Quartet, the Southern Cross Soloists), contemporary art music (Terry Riley, Speak Percussion), dance (Expressions Dance Company, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre, Jody Oberfelder), puppetry (Dead Puppet Society), contemporary jazz (Trichotomy, Loops), popular song writing (Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan), comedy (the Kransky Sisters, Gerry Connolly), Asian music (Dheeraj Shrestha, Ubiet) and indigenous Australian music (William Barton).