Gnulli Festival to be held in Carnarvon in May celebrating culture, aims to increase tourism in region

A new cultural festival to celebrate community is coming to Carnarvon at the end of May, aiming to draw in tourists from across WA.

Gnulli Festival, to be held from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24, will feature live performances, a large-scale drone show and cultural workshops.

The festival will be held on Yinggarda Country, and is a collaboration between the Yinggarda and Baiyungu people, the two local Aboriginal language groups. Gnulli means “all of us” or “two of us”.

The festival precedes the WA Tourism Conference being held in Carnarvon from May 25 to May 27.

As Carnarvon turns their eye to increasing tourism numbers, the shire expects that the festival will attract visitors from across WA.

Shire president Eddie Smith said the festival was an opportunity for the shire to celebrate local culture and welcome visitors.

“The Gnulli Festival is a significant and proud moment for the Shire of Carnarvon,” Cr Smith said.

“With up to 90 per cent of visitors to Western Australia expressing interest in Aboriginal tourism, yet only a fraction engaging in those experiences, there is a clear opportunity for regions like Carnarvon and Coral Bay to lead in this space.”

The festival invites locals and visitors to participate in and engage with Aboriginal culture.

Headline acts include Shane Howard and Great Western Band, Caravana Sun, Kankawa Nagarra (also known as Olive Knight) and local acts including Proud Mary and Raymond Edney.

Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation chair Tracey Tonga said the festival was a “very special opportunity”.

“It is about sharing who we are, our stories and our connection to country, and creating a welcoming experience for those visiting our region,” she said.

The program will include a drone show delivered by Fremantle Biennale.

Paul Baron, general manager of Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation, said he was proud to be working with the shire and the Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation.

“Bringing this event to Yinggarda country ahead of the conference is a great opportunity to highlight our culture and showcase the region to visitors from across the State,” he said.