Attachments
31 Jan 2025
The annual Festival, now in its third year, is hosted by Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation on Cardabia Station on WA's Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) coastline. Stay on the station and join us in experiencing Aboriginal music, dance storytelling, cultural workshops and, for the first time, film screenings in the Station's shearing shed.
Festival tickets and a range of station stay packages are on sale from 5 February, and early bird subscribers can use their discount code until 16 February.
The 2025 theme of 'Connection' is inspired by Traditional Owner and Cultural Director Hazel Walgar, honouring deep, timeless interconnectedness of the Baiyungu people. Artistic Director David Hyams said this year's JNF 'Connection' theme created a wonderful opportunity to combine national and local talent and immersive experiences in the festival's most ambitious and inclusive program yet.
"We've been inspired by the deep timeless interconnectedness the Baiyungu people have with country, the Nyinggulu reef area and their ancestral stories," he said.
"Music is woven through the fabric of the 18 to 20 April Festival with two nights of unmissable music acts on a main stage, and Campfire Sessions on a Verandah Stage over three nights, which are more intimate short sets and informal jam sessions featuring our main acts.
"Founding member of the legendary Australian band Goanna and Black Arm Band, and one of Australia's most influential writers and singers, Shane Howard, will join us for JNF 2025.
"Shane will not only perform his iconic anthem Solid Rock/Sacred Ground, but he will also work with the Baiyungu people to reinterpret the song by rehearsing and performing it in traditional language. Festival-goers can fill their lungs and join in an uplifting choir experience with Shane and traditional owners.
Shane said there was much he was looking forward to.
"It's a great honour to be invited to perform at Jamba Nyinayi 2025," he said.
"I've travelled through Baiyangu country with my family, some years ago, but I've never performed there.
"I'm looking forward to singing 'Solid Rock, Sacred Ground' and many other songs in Baiyangu country. I hear that Hazel Walgar may even be translating the chorus into Baiyangu.
"Being on the edge of Pilbara country, I'm also looking forward to performing the song I wrote many years ago for the 1946 Aboriginal Pastoral Workers strike, 'Clancy and Dooley and Don Mcleod'. I think it's one of the most remarkable stories of modern Australia and quite possibly, the beginning of the Land Rights movement. It's history that should be taught in our schools.
To be with Baiyangu, on their country, the country that Tim Winton has brought to life so beautifully in his writing, in the midst of the World Heritage Ningaloo Reef, will be awe-inspiring.
To be there in the company of such an amazing band that includes Lucky Oceans, David Hyams, and others, makes it all the more special. I'm looking forward to it."
Also headlining are multi-award-winning husband and wife duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. Expect a goose-bump performance with Gina's incandescent vocals accompanied by Guy's guitar brilliance as they sing in Noongar language on the desert dunes under the stars with the Nyinggulu backdrop.
Adding to the superb musical line up are pedal steel guitar legend Lucky Oceans, Yamatji Rapper Razzy Mak and Yamatji country music singer/songwriter and guitarist Fred Ryan.
Maatakitj ft. Clint and Kylie Bracknell and up-and-coming Indigenous singer-songwriter Lachy John will perform at JNF for the first time.
Returning are talented local performers and the festival's all-star Jamba Nyinayi Band featuring Wes Mongoo and didgeridoo player Trazielle Kelly.
Baiyungu dance group Coral Spawn will be joined this year by fellow Gascoyne dancers Pundarra Performance Group and Binmaga Yamatji dance group visiting from the Mid-West, all sharing stories through contemporary Indigenous dance.
Festival attendees can join in engaging dance, song writing, instrumental, art, and creative workshops throughout the long weekend.
Traditional Owner and Cultural Director Hazel Walgar will be weaving new stories throughout the festival through dance, workshops and song, encouraging knowledge sharing and participation.
Staying on Station
Station stay camping options have expanded this year to offer:
- Happy Campers - two or four-person tent and bedding provided - from $125.00 + bf per night, bookable for up to 5 nights (extremely limited).
- Shearers Quarters unpowered site - BYO tent, camper van, motor home or caravan and enjoy the convenience of being located by the licensed Festival area and access to showers and toilets. $8 per child and $15 per adult per night.
- Old Airstrip - self-contained, unpowered campsite for BYO tent, camper van, motor home or caravan and camp at your leisure a short walk from licensed festival area with access to toilets. $5 per night per child and $10 per night for adults.
Your preferred camping tickets can be purchased with your Festival Ticket. Thanks to our supporters, Festival Tickets without camping are only $18 Adults, $12 Youth, and $50 family ticket (two adults and two children), and provides access to the full festival program across three days. Children under five are free.
Sign up to the mailing list at jnfestival.com.au to register for the early bird offer by 16 February to enjoy discounted stays.
Jamba Nyinayi Festival is made possible thanks to our Principal Partner Lotterywest, Presenting Partner Shire of Carnarvon; Major Supporters Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Leichhardt, and Rio Tinto; and supporters the WA Government through Tourism Western Australia, The Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, through Regional Arts WA, Horizon Power, Gascoyne Development Commission and Ngaarda Media.
Fast Facts:
- Festival program runs across 3-days from April 18 to 20, with the option to stay on the station longer from April 17 to 22
- Tickets on sale: 5 February (register for Early Bird discount at jnfestival.com.au)
- Cardabia Station is just a 5-minute drive from the township of Coral Bay
- Camping is limited to 500 pax for an on-country stay
- Jamba Nyinayi means 'sit for a while' in Baiyungu language
To find out more visit Jamba Nyinayi Festival.
Images available to download here.
