What is the purpose of Listening Back: Our Early Voices?
In 2024, the late Uncle Rob Bryant returned to Bangarra to sit with our staff, sharing stories of the early days - the challenges, the vision, the determination, and the people who helped lay the foundations of who we are today. As we listened, we realised that many of these stories had not been formally captured. From that moment, a commitment was born: to honour these storytellers, cultural leaders, artists, activists and advocates.
We are committed to carrying our legacy forward, by listening deeply to those that came before us, so we can better understand who we are today. Our enduring responsibility to Community, Country and First Nations storytelling is our heartbeat - grounding us, guiding us and breathing life into all that we do.
The purpose of this project is to safeguard cultural knowledge, honour Bangarra’s past and foundations, and to document stories from the company’s early years (c.1989–1999), from voices who may not be familiar with our audiences.
Who was chosen and why?
We wished to ensure the interviews reflected a broad range of perspectives from across the Bangarra community, including cultural families, artists and Board members. Through careful research and consultation, a group of interviews was identified. From those invited, the 10 participants who agreed to take part were selected to help represent the diversity of experiences, voices, and knowledge that have shaped Bangarra’s journey.
When can we watch the interviews and where?
The 10 videos will be released between late September – late October 2026.
You can watch these stories on our Knowledge Ground website and YouTube channel.
Are you planning on filming and releasing more of these videos?
We are extremely grateful to Creative Australia who made it possible to capture these 10 interviews. This project represents an important step in preserving and sharing the stories of the cultural leaders, artists, activists and advocates who laid the cultural and creative foundation for our company today. We remain committed to finding meaningful ways to honour our contributors as circumstances and resources allow.
Why are the stories presented as personal histories?
The primary purpose of these videos is to preserve and share the lived experiences, memories, and reflections of the people who helped shape Bangarra's early years. These interviews are presented as personal histories rather than definitive historical accounts.
Where possible, the project team undertook research and reviewed available archival materials to inform the process. However, the value of the project lies in capturing individual perspectives and experiences, recognising that different people may remember the same events in different ways.
Rather than presenting a single, authoritative version of history, the project embraces the richness and complexity of multiple voices. Together, these stories contribute to a deeper understanding of Bangarra's beginnings and the many people, relationships, challenges, and aspirations that shaped the company's journey..
Is this a celebration piece or a historical record?
It is both a celebration and a historical record.
This project was created to honour and recognise the many people who helped shape Bangarra's early years, while also preserving their stories, experiences, and reflections for future generations.
The decade of 1989 to 1999 was marked by some of the most important milestones in Australia’s First Nations’ post invasion modern history such as the establishment of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Commission, Paul Keating’s Redfern speech, the Mabo decision. It was also time when early First Nations theatre, filmmaking, literature and music were making their mark in the mainstream. Bangarra was there throughout this time and acknowledges this generation’s impact on the company.
Rather than presenting a single, definitive account of the company's history, the project captures the personal perspectives of those who were there. Together, these interviews contribute to a richer understanding of Bangarra's origins, the vision that inspired its creation, and the people whose tireless dedication helped build the company into what it is today.