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Mahbilil Festival: 'Simply Mahbilous'

25 September 2015

Lindsay Gameraidj and the Bininj Band performing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Kakadu. The Bininj Band closed out the 2015 Mahbilil Festival. PHOTO: DOMINIC O’BRIEN Lindsay Gameraidj and the Bininj Band performing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Kakadu. The Bininj Band closed out the 2015 Mahbilil Festival. PHOTO: DOMINIC O’BRIEN

WEST Arnhem’s festival season came alive this month as Mahbilil and Gurrung lit up Kakadu, while out on Goulburn Island, Jamalak got the joint jumping.

Festivalgoers feasted on all aspects of culture – from bush tucker to art, music and sport – but also got a dose of the region’s great sense of community. Individuals from all walks of life, families, philanthropists, businesses and workers joined with government and nongovernment organisations to pull the events together.

The Mahbilil Festival at Lake Jabiru Park on Saturday 5 September ran in conjunction with West Arnhem Regional Council’s Gurrung Sports Carnival on Friday and Saturday. Gurrung brought in nearly 300 competitors to Kakadu to enjoy the sports competitions and festivities.

Mahbilil Festival producer Scott Large said crowds were solid all the way through Saturday afternoon, with plenty of visitors from Darwin as well as international tourists.

“We estimated around 1500 people through the day, with around 1000 on-site at its peak,” Scott said. “The energy was really buzzing right through to the last bands.” He said Mahbilil was a great example of community spirit in action, where everyone put aside the politics to celebrate the joys of living in Kakadu. “I’m a big believer in the role that arts and culture have in bringing communities together, and I think Jabiru proved that on the weekend.”

Visitors to the festival enjoyed bush foods, spear throwing and weaving demonstrations, plus the hotly contested Magpie Goose Cooking Competition. Regular entrants, local chefs and Magpie Goose aficionados were stunned when Parks Manager Pete Cotsell won the cooking competition at his first attempt. “We had to smuggle the judges away – and they are still in hiding,” Scott joked.

The excitement built even further in the early evening as the headline act, Diesel n’Dub, took to the stage with guest singers Tony Hughes and Emma Donovan.

Tony Hughes and Emma Donovan singing with Diesel N Dub. PHOTO: DOMINIC O’BRIEN Tony Hughes and Emma Donovan singing with Diesel N Dub. PHOTO: DOMINIC O’BRIEN

“Their big singalong of Beds are Burning got the whole crowd involved,” Scott said. But what seemed to get the biggest crowds were the traditional dance group Bininj Gunborrk, and the crazy antics of Psycus Circus with the Jabiru Area School Circus.

Many people commented on Techy Masero’s new Magpie Goose sculpture behind the stage, which acted as a screen for video projections from Cairns-based artist Dave Masters. “The majority of the images were from local people – artists and photographers,” Dave told The Wire.

“It is a privilege to be here in Jabiru in this beautiful environment and in this wilderness”

Chilean artist Techy Masero first came to the Northern Territory in 1985, and is now a regular at Mahbilil. “It is a privilege to be here in Jabiru in this beautiful environment and in this wilderness,” she said.

Cairns-based video projection artist Dave Masters with sculptor Techy Masero. Cairns-based video projection artist Dave Masters with sculptor Techy Masero.

Techy was granted special permission from artists and Traditional Owners of the area to create the wire-framed sculptures, which include representations of spirit beings and traditional art. “I am the facilitator, not the artist – all the art work is from local artists,” Techy said.

Community members, backpackers and tourists came forward to get involved in Techy’s projects, which included reskinning the 15-metre long, 4-year old crocodile that floats in Lake Jabiru during the festival. “I think he’s got a few more years left floating on the lake,” Techy said.

Scott said he hoped to see the Mahbilil Festival continue in the years to come. “The community is very invested in Mahbilil happening and put in a lot of effort to support it, so I can’t see it not going ahead,” he said.

Scott thanked Mahbilil Festival supporters Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, ERA, KWAST, Children’s Ground, West Arnhem Regional Council, West Arnhem College - Jabiru Area School, Mercure Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru Foodland, Kakadu Lodge, Kakadu Tourism, Kakadu National Park, and all the volunteers who made the magic happen.

View more festival photos on the West Arnhem Regional Council facebook page.

Shelton Nango performing with Steve from Psycus Circus. Shelton Nango performing with Steve from Psycus Circus. Some of Techy Masero's iconic sculptures at Lake Jabiru. Some of Techy Masero's iconic sculptures at Lake Jabiru.