From Country
Uncle Martin Ballangarry and Jumbaal Dreamin’. by Mujaay Ganma When we sat down to talk about the upcoming KOORI-O-BOREE tour, Uncle Martin shared a little of the journey of the Jumbaal Dreamin’ Band and Dancers.
It would be almost impossible to have lived very long in the Nambucca Valley without knowing, or knowing of, Uncle Martin. What fewer people may know is that his parents were very significant in the contributions they also made to the Valley. His father, Uncle Ivan was known for his tireless efforts to support the coming together of all people in the Valley. This was a time when racism was rife and well before Aboriginal people were counted in this country. In the 1950s he helped build Macksville Hospital, literally! Uncle Martin’s mother, Aunty Hilda, was instrumental in the establishment of AFEC (Aboriginal Family Education Centre) at Bowraville. This was an innovative and highly successful early learning program that involved the family learning together.
Although locals are likely familiar with Jumbaal Dreamin’ they may not know what motivated Uncle Martin to create this band and dance troupe. As he was telling his story it was clear that this purpose keeps him going. He is deeply committed to ‘addressing community issues’, in particular the part drugs and alcohol play in fuelling these issues. Behind the laughing presence that Uncle Martin has carried through his life, which has endeared him to many, is a powerful drive to help his people who suffer from addictions.
For those who don`t know, Uncle Martin plays by ear. Since a child, he has been able to play a number when you hum just a few notes. His ability to engage an audience seems to come naturally to him. So back in the day, he asked the boys if they wanted to play together and perform and managed to buy the instruments. As he said, “they were cheap guitars but they did some great songs on them”. Even though they were still drinking, he thought this would help them and, as a sober man, Uncle Martin could manage it for them.
They asked about their family totem and then with Uncle Martin’s guidance they followed the cultural protocols, seeking permission from the respected Elders. Permission was given and this was how the band got its name, after Jumbaal, the carpet python. It was at Argents Hill Hall, when Knoxy (Paul Knox) played his last gig, that Jumbaal Dreamin’ first performed with young dancers from the community.
Over the following years, they received support from philanthropists and many others like ‘Beyond Empathy’ and then ‘Miimi’ and Denni Scott Davis’s ‘Slippery Circus’, who, with CDAT (Community Drug Action Teams) funding, held several workshops. The Jumbaal Dreamin’ Dancers performed at Dance Rites in Sydney three times, leading the way for other Gumbaynggirr dancers to perform there. In the words of the promotional material, this tour ‘will be an important cultural music and dance activation with traditional and contemporary elements to connect the community through culture and lift our spirit, heal the land and revitalise cultural practice’.
The Jumbaal Dreamin’ Koori-o-boree Tour begins on Saturday 16th September in Urunga and culminates at the mission in Bowraville on Sunday 15th October.
See The Valley Hub Events Calendar for more detail.
Valley Feature
Your prostate is priceless
Local Dairyfarmer Kylie Saul is going the distance against prostate cancer…
In her third year of raising awareness for Men’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, this September, “I have run 100km already and will continue to keep running until the end of September to highlight the importance of prostate cancer”.
Kylie continues, “My main goal is raising awareness so men do not have to go through this awful battle. There is so much support for those men in our community and their families who have already been diagnosed, don’t hesitate to reach out for that support and assistance”. Kylie reiterates, “Please get checked as prevention is key and, please, ladies, have the conversation with the men in your lives. Support and community is everything”.
Thousands of Australians are leading the charge this September to help raise awareness of prostate cancer by joining The Long Run. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) campaign calls on Australians to run, walk, or ride 72km throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness and funds for research and support.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the local region, and one Australian man will be diagnosed every 22 minutes. Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Anne Savage, said community action was key to making a difference, “community action is key to cancer control, helping us to raise awareness of Australia’s most commonly diagnosed cancer and encourage early detection”. Ms Savage continues, “Importantly, The Long Run helps us support men and their families, providing vital funding for clinical trials and PCFA prostate cancer nurses.
With one in five Australian men likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime, we are calling on Australians to take action this month and help love go the distance against prostate cancer. Thousands of eager runners, walkers and cyclists have joined The Long Run this September, with a total goal of raising $1 million for PCFA’s work in research, support services, and awareness.
To register, go to www.thelongrun.org.au
You can support Kylie`s efforts here:
https://www.thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/kyliesaul
Our stories
Greta sails in 'Circles' back home. Greta Boadle at sea Hi, my name is Greta Boadle
My family and I have lived in the Nambucca Valley for the past 10 years on our beautiful macadamia farm in Congarinni. Early last year we decided that we needed to shake up our lives and take our children (aged 11 and 8) on a grand adventure. My husband has been a sailor from way back and I had spent some time at sea, so over the following year we sold our beloved farm, downsized to a smaller property in beautiful Buckra Bendinni, bought ourselves an 11-metre monohull sailing yacht, took our kids out of school for 6 months and set off up the Queensland Coast.
The day-to-day life of our sailing adventure has been both mind-blowingly beautiful and far from easy as we all learnt how to live together on the boat, become comfortable with the elements, overcome seasickness, and deal with boredom on passages and it has been worth it a hundred times over. The whales we have encountered almost daily while at sea have been one of the biggest highlights, along with exploring near deserted islands and coral reefs that have provided safe and delightful anchorages along our way.
Whilst traveling I set myself the task of completing my studies to become a Youth Mentor so that I can realise my dream of running mentorship programs and circles for tween girls in our community when I return. This has been challenging to say the least with children on our boat, but I’m so grateful I have persisted and am excited to soon be opening bookings for my first series of Circles for Tween Girls in Bowraville in October.
For me and our family, stepping out of our daily lives for 6 months to experience ocean life together has been an incredibly enriching experience and a privilege that we will never forget.
You can connect with me on Facebook at Nambucca Valley Circles for Girls
Love your local
The Red Cross Image supplied by Red Cross Image supplied by Red Cross. Are you prepared for the dry season?
Australian Red Cross invites you to drop in and chat about emergency preparedness. From how to receive accurate updates to community resilience teams, Red Cross has all the information in one place.
About the Red Cross in Nambucca Valley.
If you are keen to learn more about services offered by Red Cross in the Nambucca Valley, volunteers on the ground or how you can help, you can contact Lesley Smith at bigalnam6@bigpond.com. You might also like to tune in to hear Nambucca Valley local, Adele, on The Valley Hub Stories Podcast; available on your favorite podcast platform or The Valley Hub website..
Spotify link here: Australian Red Cross – Adele
