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  • Enhance your event with Indigenous creatives

    January 27, 2025

    Alchemy Orange

    The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) encourages event professionals to engage with local Indigenous suppliers when planning conferences, business meetings, gala events, or incentive programs in Victoria. This approach not only enriches your event with unique cultural elements but also supports Indigenous businesses and aligns with social sustainability goals.

    Incorporating Indigenous contributions can be as simple as hiring a First Nations graphic designer to create Indigenous-themed artwork for an exhibition booth or engaging an artist to design a conference logo.

    Below is a curated selection of talented Indigenous suppliers, sourced from the Kinaway directory, who can help make your next event truly memorable:

    Singers and Musicians

    • Bumpy: A proud Noongar woman, Bumpy uses her hypnotic vocal style and introspective lyrics to captivate audiences. Performing both solo and with a full band, she has graced stages at prominent Australian festivals, including Rabbits Eat Lettuce and St Kilda Festival.
    • Kiernan Ironfield: This Dharug man and self-taught Yidaki player crafts music that invites introspection through the vibrations of the Yidaki, while honouring its Yolngu custodians and the Kulin nation on whose land he resides.

    Dance Performances

    • Djirri Djirri Cultural Services: The only Wurundjeri female dance troupe, Djirri Djirri honours their ancestors, family, and country through dance and song in Woiwurrung, their Mother Tongue.

    Artists and Designers

    • Kutcha Edwards: A celebrated Mutti Mutti musician and speaker, Kutcha’s theatre and music works, including Songlines of a Mutti Mutti Man, have garnered critical acclaim. His rich artistic career also includes international tours and multiple prestigious awards.
    • Jarra Karalinar Steel: This multidisciplinary artist merges traditional and contemporary themes in her public art, augmented reality projects, and large-scale installations. Steel’s work embodies her Boon Wurrung, Wemba Wemba, and Trawlwoolway heritage.
    • Neonic: A freelance graphic designer specialising in impactful visual branding, Neonic translates ideas into memorable and aesthetically pleasing designs.
    • K'Tahni Pridham: A Marra & Yanyuwa woman thriving in Naarm, K'Tahni’s creative expertise spans graphic design, public speaking, and video production, all infused with her vibrant cultural perspective.

    Catering

    • Street Feast: Led by Monero Ngarigo chef Dale and his wife Jenni, Street Feast specialises in 'Low and Slow' street food with over 30 years of combined experience.
    • Mabu Mabu: A Torres Strait Islander-owned catering business and restaurant, Mabu Mabu combines native ingredients with Asian and Polynesian influences to create a communal dining experience.

    Floristry

    • Alchemy Orange: Yorta Yorta florist Shahn Stewart redefines floral art through bold botanical sculptures and floral activations that blend the natural and unconventional.

    Videography and Music Production

    • Lion Heart Nation Productions: This creative powerhouse delivers high-quality videography and music production for diverse projects, from music videos to corporate documentaries, always tailoring the final product to client needs.

    By collaborating with Indigenous suppliers, event planners can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future while enhancing events with authentic cultural storytelling.

    Visit the Kinaway First Nations business directory to explore a wider range of Indigenous suppliers ready to elevate your next event.

    The MCB team is available to provide guidance, source suppliers, and help you achieve your social sustainability goals. Get in touch today for free support and advice.

     

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