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Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the sacred lands on which we work. We pay our respects to the people of the Kulin Nations and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past present and future.

We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers; and that knowledge transfer through storytelling is imbedded in the very DNA of this Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

Sit down with an Elder who will share a story of their lived experience. Immerse yourself in rich stories from four fabulous and fascinating Elders in an intimate and personal setting. With Uncle Larry Walsh, Aunty Pattie Lees, Aunty Pam Pederson and Uncle Talgium Edwards. The setting, Big Esso (Mabu Mabu), is an Indigenous bar and café at Federation Square. Mabu Mabu write about their iconic location beside Birrarung Marr: ‘This River was once an eel breeding ground; where shark, dolphin and stingrays could be found. This place was a main source of food, hunting, cooking, and ceremony. By sharing food in this place, we hope to bring these stories back to life.’

This event is SOLD OUT.

Native ingredient scone and beverage included – dietary requests may not be facilitated.


Featuring...

Aunty Pam Pedersen

Aunty Pam Pedersen as an Elder sits on the various Courts in Melbourne and Shepparton a position which she has held since 2005. Whilst living in Shepparton, Aunty Pam worked at Berry Street for many years working with young Aboriginal children and their families who came in contact with the criminal justice system as well…

Aunty Pattie Lees

Pattie Lees was born in Cairns, North Queensland, and was removed from her family at an early age and sent to Palm Island as a Ward of the State. At the age of nineteen she joined the Women’s Royal Australian Navy. She represented Australia as a delegate at several United Nations development forums. She is…

Uncle Larry Walsh

Uncle Larry Walsh is an Aboriginal cultural leader and storyteller. Inspired by his local Aboriginal community, plus his own Kulin ancestral blood connections to country, Uncle is one of the only senior Elders in Melbourne who focuses specifically on storytelling. A pure storyteller, his focus on the oral tradition, is an important expression and make…

Uncle Talgium Edwards

Uncle Talgium ‘‘Choco’ Howard Edwards is a Boon Wurrung, Mutti Mutti, Taungerung and Palawa Elder. “I’m a stolen, assimilated, correctionalised, government-made grassroots man – spent ’56 to ’79 in institutions and prisons. Choco uses music, dancing and yarning as a way to heal. He is currently crowd funding to get his book, ‘The Life and…

Add to Calendar 2022-03-19 15:00:00 2022-03-19 16:30:00 Australia/Melbourne Borrow a Living Book

Sit down with an Elder who will share a story of their lived experience. Immerse yourself in rich stories from four fabulous and fascinating Elders in an intimate and personal setting. With Uncle Larry Walsh, Aunty Pattie Lees, Aunty Pam Pederson and Uncle Talgium Edwards. The setting, Big Esso (Mabu Mabu), is an Indigenous bar…

Big Esso – Mabu Mabu,

Fed Square Swanston Street and, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000

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