Kulin-bulok Nanga-gu Qeeap Community Cooking

Four part series available to watch on the Yarra City Arts YouTube Channel.

Presented by City of Yarra, Charcoal Lane and Guilty.

Yarra City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of this country, pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Yarra, and gives respect to the Elders past and present.

At Yarra we have a strong commitment to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and are always thinking about new ways that we can work with, support and learn from each other.

During the period of COVID-19 isolation we recognised that coming together for a meal is a special opportunity to share stories, music and spend time together. Local community members were asked to share a story about a dish that was special to them. An interpretation of the dish was then prepared by the acclaimed Charcoal Lane restaurant, and accompanied by a musical performance of some of Victoria's most talented Aboriginal musicians.

We hope these stories will celebrate 2020 Reconciliation Week theme: "In this Together", and be stories that we come back to again and again.

Episode one: Dave Arden 
David Arden is a Kokatha-Gunditjmara guitarist, songman and storyteller. He grew up in Abbotsford, Victoria. He has performed with Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Tiddas, Bart Willoughby, Mixed Relations, Shane Howard, Paul Kelly, Not Drowning Waving and Hunters and Collectors and was a member and co Musical Director of The Black Arm Band. Dave’s latest album is ‘Red Desert Man.’ @DaveArdenSongman

Episode two: Nellie Binmaarus and Pirritu 
Nellie Binmaarus is from One Arm Point (Ardiyaloon) 80kms north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula road. Her main focus in her life is her two daughters (Kelarni & Khia.) She moved to Melbourne for their education. Nellie is the Coordinator of the Billabong BBQ for CoHealth. The Billabong BBQ is a weekly gathering in Collingwood for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get together, share healthy food and connect with a wide range of community services. Nellie loves being connected with friends, culture, work and community. Pirritu is a Ngiyampaa man and First Nations singer-songwriter. Pirritu’s music is gentle, honest and melodic, enticing you into the depths of his personal journey, to sing you a story of sadness, love and hope. @pirritumusic

Episode three: Lorina Lovett and Maylene Slater-Burns
Lorina Lovett is a proud Gunditjmara, Tongan and Maori woman. She is a member of the Stolen Generations and lives in the Fitzroy area. She is a trained nurse, served in the army (East Timor, now Timor Leste), has worked for VACSAL, Launch Housing and CoHealth. She has served on multiple advisory groups such as Yarra City Council’s Yana Ngargna Advisory Group, Yarra Aboriginal Support Network, Smith Street Dreaming Working Group and the Stolen Generations Marker Working Group. She ran Parkies Inc for a period. She is the daughter of the Queen of Parkies, Aunty Denise Lovett. Maylene Slater-Burns from Kulin country, is a singer-songwriter exploring, speaking and writing to inspire conversations about identity, connection, disconnection and vulnerability. Maylene is part of the Kamilaroi, Wiradjuri, Worimi, Yuin, Ngunnawal, Kuku Djungan, Nywaigi, Gangalidda and Garawa nations. mayleneslaterburns.com

Episode four: Robert Young and Meriki Hood aka Ms Hood.
Robert Young is a proud Gunnai and Waradjurie man. A local Melbourne artist Robert hopes to bring change through his connection to his art and culture. He is wanting to bring in change by helping this next generation of indigenous and non indigenous people connect with culture, community and creativity in ways he created in his art and life's journey. Meriki Hood is a strong Kunai woman from East Gippsland Victoria. She's been involved in the music industry for the past 14 years and has travelled the world with her inspiring songs. She has collaborated and shared the stage with some of the best known artists locally and internationally including Jessica Mauboy, Tupac's Outlawz, Madchild, Hill Top Hoods, Neisan Mystic, and Baker Boy... to name a few. Meriki Hood is currently working on her second album and is part of the OETHA Trio featuring two other strong power house women Lady Lash and Dizzy Dee. @misshoodofficial

About Charcoal Lane

Charcoal Lane is a Mission Australia social enterprise restaurant that provides guidance and opportunity to young Aboriginal people. The aim of the program is to create a skilled workforce for the hospitality industry, providing leadership and mentoring to help vulnerable young people achieve their potential and gain long-term independence.

Charcoal Lane Executive Chef Greg Hampton, Trainee Kathryn Hunt, and Trainee Kody Welsh.

Filmed at Charcoal Lane Restaurant, 136 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, May 2020.

Director/Editor: Michael Lutman

Thank you to City of Yarra Aboriginal Partnerships, and Arts, Culture, Venues and Events, Troy Crellin and Chloe Lagos at Charcoal Lane, Uncle Colin Hunter, Kiewa Austin-Rioli, Daniel Ducrou, Jason Tamiru, Siu Chan, Karra Rees and Olivia Allen.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers should be advised that the following may contain names of people who passed on to the Dreamtime.