The Wotjobaluk Nations’ Festival featuring ‘Our Place Our Story’ has received national recognition, winning the Excellence in Cultural Revitalisation, Preservation, and Resurgence award at the 2026 AIATSIS Summit.
The Festival was held on 13 December 2025 at Horseshoe Bend Campground in the Little Desert National Park, the same place where the first positive Native Title Determination in south-eastern Australia was signed 20 years earlier, on 13 December 2005. It was a special day bringing people together to celebrate culture, community and Country, and to mark this important milestone for the Wotjobaluk Nations.
The award was announced on 5 June 2026 at the AIATSIS Summit on the Gold Coast. The summit brought together nearly 3,000 people from across Australia and overseas, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, researchers, government and allies. More than 900 people attended the awards dinner, celebrating the incredible work being led right across the country.
BGLC was represented at the summit by Michael Douglas, Colin Gorton, Kylie Boundy, Dinesha Fernando and CEO Chris Santagiuliana.
Other award winners included:
- Bindjareb Djilba Kaadadjan Bidi Yarning Circle (Sustainability and Sustainable Futures)
- Sarah Williams (Youth and Emerging Leadership)
- Yamatji on Country (Contemporary Innovation)
“Awards like this are important, but what stands out most is what this event represents, people coming together on Country to share stories, celebrate culture and mark a significant moment. It’s something our region is lucky to be part of, and it’s great to see that recognised at a national level. Congratulations,” said Mayor Cr Brian Klowss.
