Reconnecting Our Connection

Reconnecting Our Connection is an ongoing movement and dance initiative exploring historical and current connections between Indigenous Australia and Indonesia.

Events in 2015, 2016 and 2018, 2024, 2025 brought together Indonesian and First Nations artists in Yirrkala, East Arnhem Land.

Indonesian artists such as Dedy Satya Amijaya from East Java, Rianto from Banyumas, Central Java, Bagus Bagonk Prabowo from Yogyakarta have visited and collaborated with Yolngu artist Rosealee Grimes and family and Suara Indonesia Dance to conduct traditional dance, batik and music workshops at:

  • GARMA Festival Youth Forum

  • Yirrkala Community School

  • Nhulunbuy Primary School

  • Nhulunbuy High School

  • Nhulunbuy Christian School

  • Anglicare NT Gove Peninsula After School Care

  • Surrounding Homelands Schools

The program culminated in a final performance with local Yolngu artists and students at the outdoor stage at the Roy Dadaynga Marika Stage, Buku Larrangay Mulka, with a special Welcome Ceremony by Traditional land owners the Rirritjingu followed by local bands.

Reconnecting Our Connection has continued to bring Indonesian artists to Gove and the Garma Festival to share their culture with the Yirrkala community.

This project has been made possible with generous support and funding from the Australia Council for the Arts (now Creative Australia) and Australia Indonesia Institute and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia Darwin.

A man dressed in traditional attire leading a cultural performance for children, with seated musicians in the background, on a stage at an indoor venue.
Three performers in costumes and masks on a rocky beach with the ocean and an island in the background.
Children and adults sitting cross-legged on a red patterned rug in a circle, raising their hands during an activity in a classroom with shelves, decorations, and a blackboard.