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The Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers also known as Yugimbir & Nugi Aboriginal Dancers:

The Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers have been in existence for over 10 years travelling the world extensively showcasing Traditional Aboriginal culture through song & dance and other various forms of culture.

The directors of the dance troupe are decendents of the Nunukul, Yuggera, Yugimbir and Nugi Tribes.

In the south east corridor there are 4 major tribal/ language groups of the coastal region. Nunukul positioned 40km just off the coast of Brisbane on Nth. Stradbroke Island. Before the turn of the century into the 1900s North & South Stradbroke Islands were joined which once was called Stradbroke Island. Nunukul occupied both Islands through sub-clans or family groups speaking the language of Jandai.

The Yuggera tribal group take in a large area, from the mouth of the Brisbane River near the Brisbane International Airport finishing on the south side of Esk to the Great Dividing Range near Warwick & Toowoomba.
There are many subclans/families which covered this area. When settlers dominated the Greater Brisbane less abundance of food was available, the Yuggera families began to move to the Islands and many also settling at Ipswich west of Brisbane.

Yugimbir language speakers are the original occupants of the Gold Coast. The Yugimbir have a truly beautiful country stretching from the Logan River in the north, south to the Tweed River and out to the mountain Rainforests and beyond.


Nugi are the Aboriginal people of Moreton Island, known in the language group as Mugumpin. A near untouched Island. The Nugi moved in the settlement times to Stradbroke Island, Cherbourg and other various areas, but have still maintained a rich heritage with one of the most beautiful languages spoken in the south east.

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Nunukul Yuggera offers a Number of Cultural Experiences....

ARC Dreaming is a traditional/ contempory theatre experience, capturing traditional Aboriginal Song and Dance with Contemporary Dance, performed with the drone of the didgeridoo and a classical Jazz musical experience.

See and try the ancient art of Boomerang throwing, spear throwing, didgeridoo Playing and much more...

  • Traditional Weloming to Country
  • Traditional Song and Dance - Decedents of the Nunukul Yuggera Yugimbir and Nugi tribes perform indigenous stories and dance skills passed on for thousands of years
  • Didgeridoo and Clap Sticks - Aboriginal musicians demonstrate the use of traditional indigenous instruments and encourage visitors to try them
  • Traditional Primitive Fire Starting - Lighting a camp-fire demonstration during dance 
  • Indigionous Aboriginal Educational Talks - Talks offer an insight into aboriginal life and history of our ancient land
  • Traditional Aboriginal Art / Artifacts and Displays - Aboriginal artist demonstrate modern adaptations of traditional methods and encourage hands on participation by visitors
  • Local Bush Tucker Tasting - Selected traditional Aboriginal food from the region
  • Private Functions
  • Conferences and Entertainment

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Past Performances

Germany 2008
European Festival - Stuutgart Hermany with Australian Tourism Commission.

Brisbane City Council China 2007
Brisbane City Council Sister City Ambassadors for Brisbane City - Festivals Shenzen China.

Cairns 2007
International Conference for Counsellors.

National Rugby League 2007
New Zealand Tour with the National Rugby League for the Centenary Test Austalia V New Zealand Westpac Stadium.

The Worlds Biggest Rain Dance 2007
Lead the Worlds Biggest Rain Dance held at Exhibition Grounds Brisbane (RNA Showgrounds) for the Guinness Book of Records.

National Rugby League 2007
Performed for the State of Origin Queensland V New South Wales Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium.

Europe Feb - March 2007
Inaugral Indigenous Tourism Road Show with Australian Tourism to Europe - London, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.

Sydney Opera House Jan - Feb 2007
Performances at the Opera House for the Australian Tourism Commission.

Australia Day Celebrations Jan 2007
Performances at Australia Day celebrations held in Federation Square Melbourne

Holland Tour Feb 2006
Nunukul Yuggera performed in 7 different cities around Holland. The performance includes traditional song and dance including comtempary jazz/classical music. A theatre production called Arc Dreaming.

Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay 2006
Brisbane, King George Square

Australasian Firefighter Championship 2005
Gala Dinner @ Jupiter’s Casino opening performance

Ipswich Indigenous Working Party Community Award 2005
For Excellence in Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal Culture

Premier Reconciliation Awards for Bussiness in two categories – Encouragement Awards 2005
We won Encouragement Award in Employment and Emerging Bussiness categories.

International Tattoo 2005
We have performed at the International Tattoo at Ipswich for the past 3 years.

Greece Pre Olympic Sacred Music and Dance Festival 2004
International Tour of Greece. 37 Countries represented as a lead up to the Olympic Games in Athens Greece. Nunukul Yuggera performed at venues around Greece including Volos, Kalamata, Acropollus and Olympia. We were rated in the top 3 performers in the World.

100 Years Centenary of Ipswich – Dec 2004
Ipswich City Celebrating their 100th year. We play a major role in the Celebration as we were able to invite several surrounding tribal groups and also Walpri Women from the Northern Teritory to perform their traditional song and dance. It was a huge success.

New Zealand 2004
International Sister City Sports and Cultural Exchange 2003 Touch Football Australia V New Zealand (Indigenous)

Saudi Arabia 2004
Oz Company 2003, International Australian Company Opening Dubai, Saudi Arabia.

Tiawan 2004
Brisbane Sister City Kaoschung Lantern Festival in Taiwan, Koaschung.

Korea 2004
Brisbane Sister City Deajon Lantern Festival Deajon, Korea.

South East Queensland NAIDOC AWARD 2004
Won the Distinguished Service Award – Performing Arts.

CHOGM 2002
Opening Ceremony – Coolum Sunshine Coast

France/Italy Tour 2002
Euro Festival of Flowers and other venues.

World Vetren Games 2001
ANZ STADIUM – OPEN CEREMONY

Cultural Educational Talks and Performances:

Olympic Torch Relay – Limestone Park Ipswich 2000
Sydney Olympics @ numerous Venues including the Prince and Princess of Belgium 2000
Woodford Folk Festival 2001-2002
NAIDOC Traditional/Contemporary Performance Brisbane City Hall 2004
NAIDOC @ numerous venues

National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day
Brisbane City – Citizenship Awards
Ipswich City – Citizenship Awards
Inaugural Flag Raising Ceremony for Premier of Queensland – Peter Beattie 2003
Government and Private Functions and Conferences
Queensland International/Student Services
Queensland University St. Lucia
Griffith University, Nathan
Redlands Shire Council
Brisbane City Council
Ipswich City Council.
State and Private Schools
AND MANY MORE

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Testimonials


Dear Eddie,

I want to write to write to you to thank you and all the members on Nunukul Yuggera for coming to the reception last Thursday – and especially to thank you and your group for the fantastic dances that you gave us that evening. For all of us it was a magical unforgettable evening and we were very glad you were there for NOIDOC week. Many in the audience came up to me to say how much they enjoyed seeing your group dance, and the Deputy Chief of the British Embassy told me that it was ‘the best reception’ he has been to in Athens all year.

I was struck by how small a group of young indigenous Australian’s could retell ancient stories and entertain at the same time, with so much pride and boundless energy. I know that the tour of Greece was tiring and stressful for your group, but you sure have left an incredible impression.

I will be writing to the head of Cultural Relations Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and also to the cultural affairs offices at our Embassies around Europe, to let them know that your group can put on a great show, while at the same time presenting traditional music and dance with energy, dignity and integrity.

Please let me know when you are likely to be in Europe next year – will you be coming to Nice festival?

Please pass on my regards to Denise and the guys and girls of Nunukul Yuggera.

Best Regards,

Richard Mathews
Charge D’ Affairs

July 2003

Australian Embassy Athens

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