Connecting to Country

In the Winter 2022 issue of Talking Pointe, we shared with you one of the highlights of our Education and Outreach program: The Story of Pomi and Gobba.

Inspired by the Wiradjuri Dreamtime story Pomingalarna and Gobbagumbalun, this contemporary adaptation was created for our program by Wiradjuri choreographer Ella Havelka, a former dancer with The Australian Ballet, in partnership with Walbunga composer Tristan Field and Maiawali designer Lillian Hull.

Ella told us she aspired to return her adaptation of the story to Country as a further celebration of the cultural origin of this work, and as a legacy for future generations.

At the conclusion of last year – with the support of our philanthropic community, in particular the Graf Family Foundation – The Australian Ballet’s First Nations Cadets, Amy Weatherall and Troy Schrieber, travelled with our Education and Outreach team to Wagga Wagga to realise Ella’s commitment to return The Story of Pomi and Gobba to Wiradjuri Country.

Amy and Troy performed Pomi and Gobba for an audience of Elders and community members at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery exhibition mayinyguwalgu ngunggirridyu, which means ‘I will share with other people’.

Speaking about the experience, Amy reflected, “One of the most valuable experiences of my cadetship was having the opportunity to perform Pomi and Gobba in Wagga Wagga and present it back to the Elders and community on Wiradjuri land where the story originates. It was an honour to share how the work had progressed and learn more about the origins of the story and the land it’s from.”

Since completing their cadetship, Troy has been welcomed by The Australian Ballet to its Education and Outreach team as a Dance Educator, involved with teaching and performing in school and community projects, and Amy has taken on a dance tutor role with Bangarra’s Rekindling Youth Program.