Fuse Festival welcomes Allara Briggs Pattison as Curator-in-Residence for Ganbu Gulin

FUSE Festival Allara Briggs PattisonCity of Darebin has announce the appointment of Allara Briggs Pattison as Curator-in-Residence for Ganbu Gulin, which launches the multi-arts FUSE Festival, which runs 14 – 22 September 2024.

Meaning ‘One Mob’ in Woi-Wurrung language, Ganbu Gulin is a co-created event with Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

On Saturday 14 September, this annual inclusive celebration welcomes all Darebin citizens, existing and new, to Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

Allara brings a thematic curated offering of live music, visual art, panel talk and community participatory workshops. This free event is an invitation to all community members to acknowledge, respect and learn from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung the Traditional Owners, and celebrate First Nations artists.

Allara is a powerful Yorta Yorta winyarr. She is a storyteller, composer, director, producer, musician, and sound designer. With humour and integrity, Allara uses the double-bass and sound samples from Country to weave textures for healing in her work, I am Sovereign, I am Free. Her innovative music speaks to Blak justice and sovereignty.

Allara was the recipient of the Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent (Music Victoria Awards 2021) and is a founding member of Ensemble Dutala. Allara is driven by collaboration and improvisation, inspired to bring language and cultural practice to the forefront of her work.

Mentored by matriarchal Songwomen; her Djetja, Dr Lou Bennett AM, Deborah Cheetham AO and anganya Nancy Bates, Allara has become an unstoppable force for love, art, music and transformation, empowered by her yakapna (family) and her Ancestors, dhama yenbena (old people).

Allara ‘s work often explores themes of identity, community, and resilience, aligning with FUSE Festival’s mission to celebrate and uplift local talent.


Ganbu Gulin takes place on Saturday 14 September. The FUSE Festival runs 14 – 22 September 2024. For more information, visit: www.fusedarebin.com.au for details.

Image: Allara Briggs Pattison (supplied)