2026 MARRANG PROGRAM

Celebrating Blak excellence at Port Fairy Folk Festival 2026, with ‘Marrang’ a dedicated First Nations meeting place and its inaugural curator, Katina Walsh.

“Marrang” a Kirrae Whurrong / Peek Whurrong word meaning “meeting place”, named by highly respected Peek Whurrong Elder Uncle Rob Lowe, is a celebration of Blak excellence. The new cultural hub at the Port Fairy Folk Festival marks a powerful evolution from the much‑loved Archie Roach Foundation Stage into the next generation of First Nations-led programming.

Featuring

Uncle Rob Lowe

Senior Maar Nation Elder, Uncle Rob Lowe, welcomes you to his yarning circle sharing stories about what life was like living on the Framlingham Aboriginal Mission, ‘the mish’, set up in 1861 under the control of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines. Referring to himself as a professional wagger, Uncle Rob has been sharing yarns about the mish for the past 18 years, through the story of his family.

Boorook

Boorook (Brett Clarke) is an Indigenous artist and cultural custodian from South West Victoria. Guided by his grandfather, respected Elder Uncle Banjo Clarke, Boorook has spent over 30 years sharing the stories, spirit, and history of his people. A singer-songwriter, carver, dancer, and painter, his work bridges ancient tradition and contemporary expression, connecting past, present, and future through culture, music, and Country.

Carla Lauch

Join Carla Lauch to learn the art of basket weaving using traditional techniques from her great grandmother’s country, Kirrae Whurrung (Eastern Maar) with a contemporary twist. Born and raised on Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country (Mornington Peninsula), Carla is the great niece of Archie Roach and the granddaughter of Archie’s big sister, Alma. Carla’s workshop is recommended for 8 years and above. Materials provided. Skill level: Suitable for beginners to advanced weavers. Book in at the First Nations Information Tent!

Dara

Originating from the Gunditjmara nation in southwest Victoria, Dara was destined to be the most sought-after DJ in the region. Providing nothing but vibes and good times with his broad knowledge of music from many cultures of dance, genre and folklore. There is almost a guarantee that he will rock the house in the best way he knows how to.. He was built for this.

Jack Latimore

Jack Latimore is a writer and journalist. He was the Aboriginal Affairs correspondent for The Age newspaper, and has worked for NITV-SBS, Guardian Australia, and the Koori Mail. Jack will be joining several artists in conversation at the Marrang Stage.

John Clarke

John Clarke is a Kirrae Wurrung Gunditj Mara man. Born on Country in Warrnambool, John continues the work of looking after Country by working for his community in the southwest of Victoria, where a biocultural landscape approach to land, water & resource management is challenging the status quo. He will be joined by Travis Lovett and Jack Latimore for a talk on Caring for Country.

Lionel Lauch

Lionel Lauch is a Gunditjmara Kirrae Wurrung – Bundjalung man residing on Boon Wurrung Country on the Mornington Peninsula. Lionel runs a cultural engagement business with a high demand for his yidaki-led healing meditation sessions. The yidaki produces deep rhythmic sounds, which Lionel uses specifically for healing practices. Senses are heightened allowing for deep listening as the vibrations flow over and through your body, connecting you to the earth and creating a space for powerful healing to take place.

Paul Wright

Passionate about the preservation of culture through story and dance, Paul Wright, Briabalong/Gunai/Kurnai/Gunditjmara/Kirrae Whurrong, shares the dreaming stories of animals; the emu, kangaroo and Bunjil the eagle for his interactive traditional dance workshop.

Tamala

Tamala is proud Bundjalung and Lama Lama spoken word artist, actor, writer and audiobook narrator based in Naarm (Melbourne). In recent years Tamala’s spoken word performances has included a standing ovation for her collaboration with Tibetan artist, Tenzin Choegyal for Cradle of Life, which premiered at the Melbourne Recital Centre and for her writing and narrating the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s One Song: The Music Of Archie Roach memorial concert. Having performed on some of the biggest stages in the country, including Byron Bay’s Bluesfest in 2023, Tamala’s passion for storytelling has also led to her recording some of her long-form poetry pieces to music, with the hopes of releasing an album in the near future.

website Tracy Roach & Mariah Briggs copy 2

Tracy Roach and Mariah Briggs

Tracy Roach is a proud Kirrae Whurrong and Bundjalung woman and artist. As a member of the Stolen Generations, she creates art that connects her to her culture, country and most of all family. The Eastern Maar people are Etchers and do linework, not dots. She feels blessed to have her daughter, Mariah by her side and they are so proud to share their art with you. Book in at the First Nations Information Tent!

Travis Lovett

Travis Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara, Boandik man and Traditional Owner who served as Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Australia’s first formal truth-telling inquiry. A lifelong advocate for justice and cultural preservation, Lovett has held senior leadership roles in the Victorian Public Service, including Executive Director and Acting Deputy Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet. His leadership has been pivotal in advancing Treaty and truth-telling, reforming Koori Courts and protecting cultural heritage across Victoria.

Lovett’s commitment to truth was powerfully embodied in his 513 kilometre “Walk for Truth,” a symbolic and deeply personal journey from Gunditjmara Country to Melbourne, marking the Commission’s closing chapter. His work helped amplify First Peoples’ voices, illuminate the enduring impacts of colonisation and deliver a landmark report with over 100 recommendations for systemic reform including, leading to a historic apology from the Victorian Government.

He is passionate about practicing Culture, working with Community and preserving Aboriginal languages, with a focus on healing, unity and creating lasting change.

– Welcome to Country led by Uncle Rob Lowe

– Boorook presents The Heart of Country

– Carla Lauch – Weaving Workshops

– Crest of Crows – The Evolution of the Broome Sound

– Dara – DJ set

– Jessie Lloyd – Sing on Country

– John (Trakka) Clarke and Travis Lovett on Caring for Country in conversation with Jack Latimore

– Kankawa Nagarra and Darren Hanlon in conversation with Jack Latimore

– Lionel Lauch – Yidaki Healing Meditation Workshop

– Paul Wright – Traditional Dance Workshop

– Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year Emma Donovan in conversation with Jack Latimore

– Tamala – spoken word performance with Lionel Lauch and Steve Magnusson

– Tracy Roach & Mariah Briggs – Kirrae Whurrong: Traditional Art Workshops

– Uncle Rob Lowe – Welcome to the Yarning Circle

Artwork by Tracy Roach.

For tens of thousands of years, the Pyipgil Gundidj clan has gathered in ceremony on this Country. Since 1977, the Port Fairy Folk Festival has taken place each year on the lands of the Pyipgil Gundidj on Peek Whurrong Country. The Port Fairy Folk Festival pays respect to Elders past and present, and honours emerging leaders. We acknowledge that the place we gather each year for the Festival is, and always will be, the unceded traditional lands of the Peek Whurrong people.

Marrang has been supported through Festivals Australia which funds arts projects that encourage community participation and audience engagement in regional Australia. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.