Cirrus@Austlit

'Author, editor and proud Kaurareg, Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man Thomas Mayo invited 12 Indigenous men to write a letter to their son, father or nephew in a gentle and honest compendium of love and reflection.

'The celebration of First Nations manhood featured letters from Stan Grant, Troy Cassar-Daley, Johnny Liddle, Charlie King, Joe Williams, Yessie Mosby, Joel Bayliss, Daniel James, Jack Latimore, Daniel Morrison, Tim Sculthorpe and Blak Douglas.

'In 2025, renowned First Nations theatre makers Isaac Drandic (37, Dear Brother) and John Harvey (Spear, Black Ties) adapt these deeply personal letters into a powerful world premiere, alongside leading First Nations actors Jimi Bani (Othello, My Name Is Jimi) and Trevor Jamieson (The Secret River, Storm Boy).

'Through story and music, Dear Son honours the rich traditions and wisdoms of fathers passed down through generations, interrogating the challenges faced by First Nations men and honouring the importance of family, the power of culture and the enduring strength of the human spirit.'

Source: Production blurb.

'Once considered ‘exotic’ trophies of antiquity, the bodily remains of Indigenous men, women, and children served scientific theories of evolution and were prized objects displayed on mantelpieces. In the cover of darkness, grave robbers would pillage burial grounds, to sell Ancestral remains to the highest bidder under the guise of scientific research. Thousands were stolen and sold.

'Today, they are still locked away.

'Some are displayed in private homes, while others are hidden deep within the bowels of museums and universities. Now is the time to bring them back to Country.

'Torres Strait Islander playwright John Harvey (Heart is a Wasteland) recounts a dark history of Australia in The Return, inspired by Yorta Yorta man Jason Tamiru’s experiences as a repatriation worker. Three narratives interweave—a repatriation officer, a museum curator, and a bone collector—uncovering a macabre history of false justifications in an epic tale spanning 250 years.'

Source: Production blurb.

'Martha, a Torres Strait Islander woman works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding washing, ready for the collection of her boss. When a mysterious visitor arrives, Martha is reminded of the life she has left behind.'

Source: Flickerfest.

'Once considered ‘exotic’ trophies of antiquity, the bodily remains of Indigenous men, women and children served scientific theories of evolution and were prized objects displayed on mantelpieces. In the cover of darkness, grave robbers would pillage burial grounds, to sell Ancestral remains to the highest bidder. Thousands were sold.

'Today, they are still locked away. Some are on display in museums, while others are hidden deep within the bowels of museums, universities and would rather forget. But now it is time to bring our people back to country.

'Through an epic story spanning 250 years, writer John Harvey (Heart is a Wasteland) draws us in with untold perspectives of macabre true histories and false justifications. In a directorial debut, Jason Tamiru joins forces with our Artistic Director Matthew Lutton for this immersive theatrical event that will give rise to how the repatriation of Ancestors can bring us closer to homecoming and healing.'

Source: Malthouse Theatre.

'Behind the boutiques, restaurants and cafes, there’s a powerful Aboriginal presence still around the streets of Fitzroy and Collingwood – the ‘dirty mile’. From its Woiwurrung beginnings right up to the here and now, this is a precious community, not just somewhere to get a good latte.

Despite the gentrification, this iconic place is a testimony to survival. On any given day, you’d find Mutti Mutti songman Kutcha Edwards cutting his way along the streets of Fitzroy with a car full of Koories – dropping people off, picking people up, singing and laughing, passing on knowledge through stories and song.

In this series of four short films directed by John Harvey, Kutcha’s Carpool Koorioke features a stellar musical cast including ARIA award-winners Archie Roach and Dan Sultan, music icons Bunna Lawrie and Bart Willoughby, young singers Alice Skye and Emily Wurramara, the hilarious Elaine Crombie and legend Uncle Jack Charles. Don’t miss this warm-hearted musical journey to the other side of the street.'

Source: Yirramboi Festival.

'ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and Te Rēhia Theatre present a creative development showing of BLACK TIES.

'A groundbreaking collaboration and cultural exchange between two leading First Nations theatre companies, this is your opportunity for a first look at BLACK TIES before its world premiere in 2020. Emerging out of long-standing First Nations Exchange initiatives, the development of BLACK TIES began in Melbourne as part of AsiaTOPA Creative Labs in May 2018 and brings together creatives from First Nations theatre companies in Australia and New Zealand.

'When Māori corporate hotshot Hera and Aboriginal consultancy entrepreneur Bila locked eyes at a cultural awareness session, it was love at first sight. Ambitious, career focused, and driven by their need for control, Bila and Hera have their perfect future all mapped out. But there is one thing they can’t control – their families! Relatives are arriving from both sides of the ditch for the wedding, and reality is sinking in – and sinking fast. Will this international love story bring two strong cultures together? Or will it divide their families and countries, and blow Hera and Bila’s world apart?'

Source: Yirramboi Festival

'Under strict population control measures, Layla faces the reality of her unregistered pregnancy.'

Source: Melbourne International Film Festival.

'Raye is struggling, a country music star in the making. Riding her luck, she’s playing pub to pub along Australia’s vast desert highways, flogging demo CDs for ten bucks a piece until she can go home to Alice and look her son Elvis in the eye. Then Raye’s life becomes entwined with that of another wanderer and a love affair unfurls over the four-day drive to Alice Springs.

'Heart is a Wasteland sees John and Margaret Harvey combine theatre, film and live music in this intimate portrait of two travellers that cuts to the country’s heart. Two of Australia’s most revered actors, Ursula Yovich (Love and Information) and Aaron Pedersen (Water Rats, Mystery Road, Goldstone) come together to portray two achingly beautiful characters in a whiskey-fuelled battle of egos and hidden scars.

'Heart is a Wasteland is a luminous journey towards the recognition of everyone’s worthiness of, and right to, love.' (Production summary)

'Jim Everett was born on Flinders Island in 1942. Jim left school when he was 14 to start work. His working life includes 13 years at sea and 30 years formal involvement in the Aboriginal Struggle.'  (Production summary)