Reconciliation NSW’s signature event returns this year, bigger and better than ever. Joining forces with the Western Sydney Community Forum, I’m Not Racist, But … will be the closing event of the WALU Anti-Racism Week at the Holroyd Centre.

I’m Not Racist, But … started as an open, interactive conversation about racism in Australia in 2012. Since then, it has evolved into a comedy and poetry night, showcasing some of this country’s finest young comedians, musical performers, and poets, as they tackle conversations around racism, bigotry, and equity. This year, I’m Not Racist, But … will feature First Nations comedians and entertainers Dane Simpson, Leon Filewood and Hamani Tanginoa, as well as rising stars of the slam poetry circuit.

In the wake of the 2023 Referendum, the need for Anti Racism education and awareness is clear. Creating opportunities to bring people together to have inclusive conversations regarding racism in Australia is a key focus for the reconciliation movement, and I'm Not Racist, But... does this in an approachable and thought-provoking way.

Join comedians Dane Simpson and Leon Filewood, musician, author and youth activist Hamani Tanginoa, and artists from the Bankstown Poetry Slam, as they take a hilarious, satirical and poetical look at Australian society through their own observations and experiences.

Performer bios

Dane Simpson

The undisputed Comedy King of Wagga, Dane Simpson burst onto the scene in 2015 as a national finalist on Deadly Funny and from there it has been a fast-rising trajectory for this comedian in hot demand. From there Dane’s stratospheric rise continued with him recently bagging spots on Just for Laughs, Would I Lie To You?, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Wil Anderson's Question Everything, The Hundred with Andy Lee, SBS's Letters & Numbers or showing off cooking skills (or lack thereof) on The Cook-up with Adam Liaw.

This year, Dane has launched his new stand-up show Always Was Always Will Be…Funny at the MICF. He will tour this show throughout 2023. 2022 saw the creation of Didgeridoozy. The critically acclaimed, gut-busting show where Dane introduces us to his master didgeridoo playing skills. The show first appeared at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, then went on to tour around Australia before embarking on the world stage, performing in India and the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The year ended with a bang for this gifted comedian, with Dane performing Didgeridoozy for a 1hr stand-up comedy special on Paramount +.

Dane’s dizzying schedule has also had him caught up in a whirlwind of corporate gigs, tours and festival runs, both as a solo artist and as part of Aborigi-LOL. Dane has also appeared on the Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow and Get Krackin. He produces the monthly Riverina Comedy Club and is a programmer/producer of the Wagga Comedy Festival, as well as being a regular guest on ABC radio with Anna Moulder and Richard Glover’s TGIF show. During lockdown, Dane became the host of the hit series, Servo Bingo. The quirky, live and interactive show quickly amassed a cult following of devotees. The premise was to call out the cars and characters that would roll into the local service station opposite Thirsty Crow brewery in Wagga. Yes, it was every bit as silly, fun and entertaining as it sounds!

Leon Filewood

Leon Filewood is an engaging presence on stage, with the ability to spin a yarn and tell a story unrivalled by many. Originally from Thursday Island, with a law degree under his belt and a strong passion to see change for his people, Leon effortlessly delivers poignant messages while still remaining light and entertaining.

Since winning the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s ‘Deadly Funny Competition’ in 2018, Leon has gone from strength to strength performing at comedy festivals and comedy rooms across Australia, like the Perth Fringe Festival and the coveted Enmore Comedy Club and Comedy Store in Sydney.

Leon’s comedy is about providing the broader community an insight into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community so that we all might better understand each other, laugh with each other, and come together as one mob.

Hamani Tanginoa

Hamani Tanginoa is a proud Wiradjuri, Dharug, Gooreng Gooreng, Dhungutti and Tongan man, who was born and raised on Dharawal Country; specifically Campbelltown. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Sydney, majoring in Politics and Indigenous Studies. Hamani is currently working for The Y NSW as the Youth Voice Coordinator. As Youth Voice Coordinator, Hamani works on programs that empower young people such as the Y’s flagship program, Youth Parliament. Youth Parliament is an apolitical program that has been running in NSW since 2002 but has been running across the country since the 1980s, the program enables young people in years 10-12 to speak on issues that are important to them and develop Youth Bills in their chosen field, which ultimately gets debated on the floor of Parliament of NSW. Apart from Youth Parliament, Hamani works in the Youth Voice Team which ensures the voices of Children and Young People are heard within the Y NSW through the work on their Child and Youth Voice Strategy. Hamani is also currently developing a Global First Nations Youth Voice Network within the Global Y Movement to ensure that the voices of First Nations Young People are heard throughout the global movement.

Outside of the Y NSW, Hamani regularly performs across Sydney, with some of highlights performing with iconic Australian Artists including, Guy Sebastian, Christine Anu, Yothu Yindi and the Treaty Project, Tina Arena, Human Nature, Jon Stevens, Dami Im and many more.

Slam poets

Danielle Osifo

Danielle Osifo is a Nigerian writer and poet. In 2023 she became the Sydney final winner of the Australian Poetry Slam Competition. Her works explore contemporary themes of identity and belonging in the modern world whilst also navigating the ephemerality of life and relationships. Her experiences as first-generation immigrant deeply influences her writing. She is currently working on her first poetry book ‘Indigo Sun’, which promises to be a powerful exploration of the human condition. In addition to writing, Danielle runs a blog called Offlinewonder where she celebrates different mediums of art such as film and oil paintings.

Antoinette Luu

Antoinette is a Vietnamese-Australian artist practising in south-west Sydney. Her alchemic process of writing and editing autofictively reworks her cathartic scribbles into profound poetry, immortalising both her youth before it is over, and her culture before it is forgotten. She currently volunteers with the Bankstown Poetry Slam and was a two-time finalist at their National Youth Poetry Slam. At UNSW, she majors in English, Creative Writing, and Screen and Sound Production, and was an editor for the UNSWeetened Literary Journal. Antoinette is published in the Story Factory’s journal, Platform 1.

Contact the host of I'm Not Racist But...