Noongar Boodja doco set for Perth

After gaining huge popularity in the region, the Noongar Boodja documentary will be screened in Perth as part of UWA NAIDOC week celebrations.

The stunning 35-minute documentary, produced by Albany indigenous youths, explores the hidden stories of Albany landmarks and will be aired as part of the UWA WINTERarts festival.

Through the Community Arts Network Place Names Project, the movie promotes Noongar names of Albany landmarks and reminds the community of its shared history.

Albany youth and audio technician, Phillip Lockyer, said he was excited to see the film make its way to Perth.

“I think the message we want to share is to make people understand and have more indigenous culture around the Great Southern and Albany — and to try to bring the Noongar language back,” he said.

“We want to bring the culture and history alive.”

Menang elder Lester Coyne, who was heavily involved in the project, said he hoped the documentary would give the community some clarity on the push for dual names in Albany.

“It’s about learning our shared history — we just want to put the Noongar names underneath landmarks in the region,” he said.

The film will be aired at the UWA Art Gallery next month.