Mason Saltner, Charmaine Koroi, Ashley Saltner & Akira Barney, Gundil Released, 2024, Performance and installation. PUNQ 2024 Commission. Photograph: Nicole Zicchino.
Gurambilbarra / Townsville
The Strand Park: North Ward Queensland 4810.
View the interactive PUNQ Art Trail Map for directions.
Venue AccessibilityPicnic rugs and chairs are welcome at the opening event, as seating may be limited.
Strand Park is wheelchair accessible.
- Toilets (male, female and disabled access) nearby.
- Free parking available on The Strand promenade surrounding the playing field (including six (6) disabled parking bays)
This event is free.
Thursday 1 August 5:30pm
Gundil Released
Big Eye Theatre & Wulgurukaba Walkabouts
This major new dance work illuminates a site of Cultural significance located on ‘The Strand Promenade’ where, pre-colonisation, a series of lagoons existed. Post-European settlement, the lagoons became polluted and were eventually filled in. Over time, the traditional name of Wombeluna has been mistaken for Hambeluna.
Through this work, the Wulgurukaba people intend on sharing true name and history of the lagoons which were a ceremonial and gathering site where fresh water was in abundance. It is at Wombeluna where their ancestors performed the brolga (gundil) dance and song, which is recorded in early colonial sketches. In recent years, Wulgurukaba Walkabouts have been performing this dance once again.
Gundil Released will see this First Nations' history and connection to the water and land performed for the first time on this site in over 100 years.
Gundil Released is a PUNQ Commission, supported through the Creative Heartlands program, a strategic initiative of Topology | RASN North Queensland supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
SCHEDULE
- 5:30pm – Blak Arts Markets & light Entertainment starts
- 6:05pm – Welcome to Country
- 6:10pm – Performances by Urupan and the Komet Dancers
- 6:45pm – PUNQ Festival Official Opening
- 7:00pm – Launch of Waymaker Billboard Exhibition
- 7:15pm – Gundil Released Begins
Gurambilbarra / Townsville
The Strand Park: North Ward Queensland 4810.
View the interactive PUNQ Art Trail Map for directions.
Venue AccessibilityPicnic rugs and chairs are welcome at the opening event, as seating may be limited.
Strand Park is wheelchair accessible.
- Toilets (male, female and disabled access) nearby.
- Free parking available on The Strand promenade surrounding the playing field (including six (6) disabled parking bays)
This event is free.
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PUNQ respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region; Bindal, Gugu Badhan, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.
PUNQ respectfully acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun and the surrounding groups of our region; Bindal, Gugu Badhan, Nywaigi, Warrgamay, Bandjin and Gudjal as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, share and celebrate local creative practice. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and Culture.
PUNQ is produced by Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts. The festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receives funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund. Townsville City Council is a funding partner of PUNQ.