Through Balanda Eyes

Festival of Darwin

Darwin is absolutely rocking at the moment! The Darwin festival is now in full swing and there are so many events happening that you can’t help stumbling across them!
Last night we were on our way to the Pesona Indonesia concert and heading down Dick Ward Drive we happened across a bizarre site! I wish I had my camera. The Darwin band NEO were doing some kind of performance or shooting a video or something at a bus stop on the side of the road. There was music blasting as the guys were dressed in all kinds of funky costumes with wigs orange emergency workers overalls and a plethora of other props. It looked like someone was actually on the roof of the bus stop sweeping a broom and banging it in time with the music. They were pumping it up and the only audience appeared to be the passing traffic! This morning they were there again (looking like they hadn’t stopped) so I presume they are filming for a video clip.
We arrived at the concert at about 5:30 and were thoroughly entertained until 9:30. There was a real community spirit and a relaxed family atmosphere. We met up with a few friends but stayed close to the front so we wouldn’t miss any of the action. It was one of those events that make me feel proud and grateful to be a Darwinian. The open and inclusive attitude that prevails in Darwin is phenomenal and I haven’t experienced anything like it in any other place I’ve been. So it was no great surprise or any big deal that a co-presenter was from the Philippines. In typical Darwin style everybody was mixing in and we were all there just to have a good time and to celebrate Indonesian culture.




The opening speech by Con Vatskalis MP was great as he once again made light-hearted jokes and praised the multicultural spirit of Darwin. Mr Vatskalis also made reference to the longstanding relationship between people of the Indonesian Islands and the people of Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands. He acknowledged that these relationships existed prior to European settlement of Australia and commented on the language exchange that brought the words 'Balanda' and 'rupia'. His Greek joke was a great laugh!
I wish I enjoyed hearing his policies on regional and urban development as much.



Local girl Yuliana (just 13 years old!) performed to her usual high standard. She plays acoustic guitar and sings solo. The first time I saw her she was busking at the Nightclif market, I heard this great rendition of a John Denver song and had to search through the croud to see where it was coming from. Nobody seemed too interested in listening, people walked straight by and even through her perfomance! I'm always astounded by the indifference people show to such great performers and musicians! Maybe they don't like John Denver? But I fear the truth is that people are to busy doing what they're doing to even hear beauty in the music. I had no money to put in her guitar case but prommised next time. (Typical!)
When I saw her there again she was performing in an even more obscure place, her voice and guitar in perfect time and every song sung with such heart and meaning you'd think she was playing to an audience of thousand's of adoring fans! One day she will be; I'm sure of it.
I just hope she makes it before she's reduced to performing on that trash Australian Idol! (Ok I've seen it once)