30th Anniversary

MEDIA RELEASE 23rd October 2024

Sugar Fest Oceanic Culture History & Music celebratesAustralian South Sea Islanders (ASSI) 30th AnniversaryThis Friday 25th join us for the 30th Anniversary since 1994 Commonwealth Recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders as a ‘distinct cultural group’ who value our islands of origin and heritage with our Pacific, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander families and communities at large.A historic and moving event that celebrates the courage and determination of those who came before us and the strength of those that have created extraordinary lives that are now significantly contributing to the well-being of their families in the Pacific  and Australia.Opened by the City of Sydney Council - Lord Mayor Clover Moore there will be speeches by Dr Sonya Pearce the first Goreng Goreng / South Sea woman to receive a PhD on ‘Indigenous women entrepreneurs’, Mr Robert Karoo from Kiribati’s Pacific Academy of Sciences and the former Torres Strait Mayor Ms Vonda Malone newly appointed member of the Commonwealth Truth Telling Inquiry. ASSIPJ chair (Waskam) Emelda Davis and former COS Councillor; “The Royal Botanical Gardens are  perfect for this year’s anniversary as it is home to the Tam Tam a slit drum from Ambrym Island in Vanuatu. A powerful symbol sealing Australia’s relationship with the Pacific and descendants of a trade that is largely unknown by our communities.”Donated to the gardens in July 1992 by the Australian Friends of Vanuatu the stoic figure stands tall as protection looking out across the oceans of Sydney Harbour. The Tam Tam is made of intsia bijuga (Pacific teak). Known on Ambrym Island as a 'tingting' slit drums were traditionally used for beating dance rhythms, transmitting messages, or summoning villagers to meetings.A unifying performance we will be joined by the Peidu Tribal Dance Team from Torres Strait Islands who also have  ancestral links to the Solomon Islands (Nggela Island) through their great great-grandfather who was  blackbirded.The group will showcase a number of moving performances from the Eastern Islands namely Erub Island. Their totem is the Frigate Bird, a sea bird that always flies very high and hardly comes to land.  The traditional costumes represent the colours of the Frigate Bird of red and black.Australia’s Blackbird trade started with NSW in 1847 followed by the influx of some 60,000 to QLD between 1863 to 1904. Today’s descendants are mainly from Vanuatu and Solomons including Kiribati, Tuvalu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.Sugar Fest celebrates an alternative narrative to our dark history and will showcase the vibrant, exciting, and self-determined voice of today's community. It offers emerging and established Pacific, CALD and First Nations performers a chance to share and exchange their valuable cultural and industry specific experiences in a culturally diverse and professionally supportive setting. Another highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) Human Rights Quilt Project ‘Yumi Olgeta’ (Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy). A collaborative quilt inspired by embroidery craftivist Helen Fraser, Josephine Gideon and the HandiCrafts Women’s Markets in Vanuatu, ASSIPJ and the broader Australian community.   Performances will be by Sydney Community Group ‘Earth wind and Fire’ interpretative dance, The Spirit of the Islands performance featuring the 2024 international recipient for ‘the face of beauty 2024’ Miss Niue followed with a dynamic performance by Sydney’s finest from The Voice 2020 – Steve Clisby.Proud sponsors include Botanical Gardens, City of Sydney Council, Multicultural NSW, Cages Foundation, Vanuatu Government, MoAD and Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson).  

Proudly presented by Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) 

Please join us for our 30th Anniversary since Commonwealth Recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders our Gala Event is sponsored at the spectacular Calyx venue Sydney Botanical Gardens. City of Sydney Resolution.

WATCH VIDEO: ABC TV - Back in time for the corner shop - Blackbirding segment with Annabel Crab & (Waskam) Emelda Davis 

PROGRAM: (refreshments available)

Acknowledgement of Country: Dr Sonya Pearce

Mr Robert Karoro from Kiribati - Pacific Academy of Sciences

1. Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO - City of Sydney Council

2. Ms Vonda Malone - Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry Member
3. Ms Helen Fraser - unveils the Yumi Olgeta quilt donation to MoAD (Museum of Australian Democracy) 

'Yumi Olgeta' (meaning you & me all together) Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy collaboration quilt:

Proudly supported by the City of Sydney Council, Botanical Gardens & Multicultural NSW

PERFORMANCES: *Sydney Community Group interpretive performance (Earth Wind and Fire) *STEVE CLISBY(Sydney's best kept secret) performing jazz standards *PEIDU TRIBAL DANCE TEAM from Erub Island in the Torres Strait Island Island customary performances *Kastom Weaving Aunty KARLEEN GREEN *SPIRIT OF THE ISLANDS*Vanuatu HANDICRAFT Quilt Display.

Watch "I still call Australia home" by Steve Clis








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