Mildura Corroboree to be held at new accessible and active public space in 2024

Mildura Rural City Council has advised that its Corroboree, a biennial celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, will return in 2024.

For the first time in its history, the 2024 Corroboree, which is being presented by Council and the Ngiwa Yarna Committee, will be held at Rio Vista Park – which is currently undergoing a transformation into a more accessible and active public space.

The Corroboree will be held from 5.30pm on Wednesday 20th March and will coincide with ChangeFest24 – an annual national celebration where participants gather to learn, connect and amplify collaborative efforts of place-based change.

In a change of format, this year’s Corroborree will take on the form of a dance competition. Entry is open to Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, performers and dance groups consisting of at least five members.

Prizes will be available across two categories – Open (valued to $2,500) and Schools (valued to $500), with winners to be selected by a panel of judges.

Councillor for Community Development and Gender Equity Helen Healy encouraged local dance groups and schools to get involved with the exciting new initiative.

“Our Corroboree has proven a fantastic celebration of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, history and culture,” Cr Healy advised.

“We’re very keen to see what eligible dance groups will bring to this year’s competition, with some wonderful prizes up for grabs.”

Ngiwa Yarna Committee Chair Patsy Doolan said the 2024 Corroboree would once again provide an opportunity for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and artisans to host market stalls, showcasing their wares.

Doolan encouraged groups or individuals to be part of the event, which has been recognised statewide, receiving a prestigious Reconciliation Victoria HART Award in 2019.

“Our Corroboree encourages the community to come together and really experience and get a taste of the traditional culture that lays at the heart of our region,” she said.

Groups and individuals interested in hosting a stall at the event are asked to complete an online application form by 5pm on Friday 23rd February 2024.

Entries are open for Corroborree dance competition and close 5pm on 23rd February 2024.

More information about the event, including Terms and Conditions for both the Dance competition and Stallholder expressions of interest, can be found at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Corroboree24