Kongal Marawar Ngoons are off to Sydney to compete in Dance Rites.
Camera IconKongal Marawar Ngoons are off to Sydney to compete in Dance Rites. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mandurah-based Bindjareb dance group to take part in Dance Rites Australia in Sydney

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

A YOUNG Bindjareb dance group is flying to Sydney this month to represent the Peel region in Dance Rites Australia, a national indigenous dance competition.

Dance Rites Australia aims to ensure important cultural knowledge including language, dance, skin markings and instruments are shared from one generation to the next.

Each competing group will present a welcome and farewell dance, one of which must include a chant in local language along with a third dance that can be a traditional dance or fusion piece combining traditional moves with contemporary sounds.

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Last year, local Noongar dance group Kongal Marawar Ngoons (South-West brothers) crowdfunded to raise the money required to enter the competition.

With much enthusiasm and passion to return, the group has secured much needed funds from the Lesley Couzens Arts Fellowship, named in honour of Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC) production supervisor, and a matching contribution for the travel from the Sydney Opera House.

MPAC general manager Guy Boyce first met the group performing at an open day at Mandurah’s Winjan Community Centre and was taken by their energy, talent and commitment.

“We first arranged for them to perform at the WA Regional Arts Summit at MPAC and as a result, they were invited to perform at the WA State Art and Culture Partnership Honours Awards Ceremony at the State Theatre Centre,’’ he said.

“They will take the Opera House by storm.”

The group includes Matthew Bennell, Mervyn Bennell, Baron Kelly, Mattheau Clune, Damien Eades, Jerome Williams, Ivan Lyndon and Derek Nannup.

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