OUR WARRIOR: THE STORY OF ROBBIE THORPE

Our Warrior: The Story of Robbie Thorpe is a story of resistance across generations, the power of family and the unrelenting struggle for justice in a country that remains in denial.

Controversial and uncompromising, Australian Aboriginal political activist Robbie Thorpe stands as part of a long line of Indigenous resistance to invasion.

Join us for this special screening, which will begin with a smoking ceremony and be followed by a panel discussion with guests including Robbie Thorpe himself, the film maker Anthony Kelly and more guests to be confirmed. We will also have refreshments.

Our Warrior: The Story of Robbie Thorpe was selected for competition in the 2025 Impact Docs Award and received an Award of Merit. Based in California, USA, The Impact DOCS Award is an international awards competition. Now in its 17th year, its goal is to support and promote filmmakers who are ‘making a difference in critical issues through producing impactful documentaries, inspiring and entertaining audiences with their stories.’

WHEN
Sunday 30th November 2025

TIME

3pm: meeting, smoking ceremony and welcome to country

3.30 Screening - Movie is 53 minutes length

short break

4.30 Panel discussion

5.00- scones and tea

5.30pm - close

COST

$20/15 Per Person + Booking Fee

For information or enquires please contact Sandra at sandrafionalong@gmail.com

ABOUT RADIUS CINEMA

The screening is at Radius which isn’t a pro cinema but we have a great projector / screen & sound system.  Seating is a first in basis, we have a variety of chairs but if you need something specific reach out and we will try and accommodate your needs or even better bring your own if you like!  There is wheel chair access, let us know if you are bringing one so we can make a clear pathway and space.  There will also be bean bags up front and stools up back.  We have capped it to 40 people per screening to make sure everyone is comfortable and well fed!

refreshments:

We will have the kettle on for FREE tea / coffee. Scones will be served at this event.

No BYO Alcohol please.  We will have beer / bubbles / wine & softies available for purchase. Plus ice-creams (drumsticks).

The producers of this film acknowledge the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands this film was made. We pay our respect to Country and to Elders, past and present.

More About Robbie Thorpe:

“To accept one’s past — one’s history,

 is not the same thing as drowning in it; It is learning how to use it”

- James Baldwin

Aboriginal political activist Robbie Thorpe stands as part of a long line of Indigenous resistance to invasion.

This 53 minute documentary shows the making of this modern leader and tracks the resurgence of a powerful Black, Indigenous, anti-colonial movement that is currently reshaping the country.

Our Warrior looks back at Robbie’s childhood, his family and explores the emergence of his radical politics in the formative years of Black Power in Australia, his apprenticeship in the 1970's under Dr Bruce McGuiness, and his emergence as one of the most controversial and uncompromising activists in Australia today.

This film examines his political impact as an activist, how he sustains himself against such great odds and whom he has influenced. In doing so the film uncovers the story of how resistance and resilience is transmitted across generations and the power of family.

Robbie is Krauatungalung (Gurnai) / Djapwurrung (Gundditjmara) raised in Yallourn, a State Electricity Commission town in Eastern Victoria and later moving to inner-city Fitzroy with his family.

Robbie has organised challenges to ongoing genocide, colonisation and assimilation for more than 40 years, always working toward Indigenous economic and political independence. This documentary is the first to give us a sense of who he is and the forces that shaped him.

Robbie's high court legal actions on genocide were broader than the Mabo case and shifted the national conversation and ultimately our laws. His series of high-profile, controversial political and cultural interventions have shaken many, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, out of complacency.

He remains a fierce and unrelenting advocate today.

Our Warrior looks back at the 60-day Camp Sovereignty during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006, which Robbie rebranded as the StolenWealth Games and declared the Black GST (Genocide to end, Sovereignty acknowledged, Treaty to be made). It put Robbie in the international spotlight and attracted criticism from prime ministers, premiers and even other Aboriginal activists, including Elders.

Camp Sovereignty’s influence, however, upon today's new generation of activists is profound.

He is outspoken and always provocative, providing high-profile voice and leadership yet also acting as a mentor and quiet support to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.  He stands unapologetically on the most controversial and radical edge of Indigenous politics.

Robbie draws the threads of two centuries of oppression together by relentlessly focusing our attention on the core injustices.  His messages are critical to modern Australia.

As the country debates its 'Australia Day' foundation myths and governments grapple with Treaty negotiations with the First Nations of Australia, the story of Robbie's relentless pursuit of justice is vital.