Geraldton close out NAIDOC Week with 200 drone light and sound show Winthu Wangga telling local stories

Hundreds gathered on the Geraldton foreshore on Saturday night to celebrate NAIDOC Week and witness the captivating First Lights Winthu Wangga drone show. The show was a 13-minute display of more than 200 drones using light and sound to tell local First Nations stories, which attracted a crowd of more than 700 people. Taking flight at 7pm, the show was created by local Wajarri, Badimaya, and Wilunyu woman Dr Charmaine Papertalk-Green in collaboration with artist Nicole Dickerson. Winthu Wangga translates to wind, and the show told stories of the connection of the wind to people, animals, land, water, and stars through images of an emu and its eggs, fish, a whale, and traditional Indigenous dot artwork. Dr Papertalk-Green said the show paid tribute to old people and places and emphasised the importance of handing down culture through stories, dance, song and the arts. The show was organised by the Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation, and acting CEO Luka Gray said the heartfelt feedback from the community had been overwhelming. “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated and joined us in this historic celebration,” he said. Commissioned by the Fremantle Biennale, the large-scale contemporary art form is choreographed with 200 drones and powerful LED lights through specialist 3-D animation. The evening had local live music and dance performances from Binmaga Dance.