Abstract dark blue pattern with curved and geometric lines and shapes, resembling stylised waves or leaves, on a matching dark blue background.

Performing Arts

Civil Rights
Actor Derek Lynch in a production of Namatjira at the Belvoir St Theatre in 2010 (photography by Brett Boardman, courtesy Belvoir St Theatre)

mawa – grasp – to take hold

walama – return or come back

There was a growing political activism within Sydney’s Aboriginal community over the 20th century, which led to the development of facilities and institutions for urban Aboriginal people. While Redfern was a particular focus for activism around civil and land rights, and a number of organisations integral to self-determination were established here, but there are also sites all over Sydney of political significance to Aboriginal people.

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  • Aboriginal organisations in Sydney

    Aboriginal organisations in Sydney

    Author: Anita Heiss Aborigines Progressive Association (APA) The Australian Aborigines Progressive Association (AAPA), led by Fred Maynard, operated in Sydney from 1924 to 1927 when it was disbanded due to…

  • Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern

    Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern

    Aboriginal Dance Theatre Redfern (ADTR) was founded in 1979, occupying part of the old Black Theatre building before moving to Renwick Street. It offered accredited courses in Aboriginal dance and…

  • Bangarra Dance Theatre

    Bangarra Dance Theatre

    Bangarra Dance Theatre is a dance company formed in 1989 by staff and students of National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA), including Carole Johnson who had been involved with…

  • Gadigal Information Service

    Gadigal Information Service

    When Radio Redfern stopped broadcasting in the early 1990s, the gap was quickly filled. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and operated organisation Gadigal Information Service was founded in 1993.…

  • Radio Redfern

    Radio Redfern

    Maureen Watson and her son Tiga Bayles laid the foundations for Radio Redfern in 1981, when they started broadcasting for 10 minutes each week on community radio station 2SER 107.3…

  • Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre

    Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre

    The Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre was established in 1975 as a full-time training program to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to take up professional dance. It launched the…

  • Black Theatre

    Black Theatre

    Author: Lily Thomas-McKnight Black Theatre began informally in c1970 as a small group of Aboriginal people who came together to read scripts and poems. These reading groups soon expanded into…