CLANCESTRY Honoured at Last Night's 2013 Queensland Reconciliation Awards

Last night the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Nguin Warrup Limited were recognised at the Queensland Reconciliation Awards at Brisbane City Hall for their partnership in delivering the inaugural Clancestry: A Celebration of Country. The awards recognise those that are advancing reconciliation in Queensland.

Clancestry was presented from 26 February to 3 March 2013 on the Ancestral Homelands of Traditional Owners for the South Brisbane region. Clancestry was developed to support Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in refreshing, revitalising and maintaining culture; to build pride among Australians in the cultures and traditions of our First Peoples; to deepen QPAC's relationship with community and community leaders; and to build skills for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people in performance and program management.

More than 10,600 people attended Clancestry which was presented by QPAC and Tourism and Events Queensland with funding from Arts Queensland through its Backing Indigenous Arts Initiative.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas along with Colleen Wall, Deb Bennet and Nancy Bamaga from Nguin Warrup Limited accepted the award. Speaking on behalf of the partners, Mr Kotzas welcomed the accolade and acknowledged the importance of the partnership outcomes from the first Clancestry.

"I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of QPAC and Nguin Warrup Limited and to acknowledge the efforts that went into creating Clancestry. We were humbled by the great community support and the energetic welcome that Clancestry received by community leaders and elders and everyone who participated in the celebration.

"The first Clancestry attracted over 10,600 participants and I am certain that this festival will grow and attract a nationwide audience based on the increasing desire to connect with these rich cultures," said Mr Kotzas.

Clancestry celebrated the arts and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and included a festival weekend showcasing performances from local cultural groups, emerging artists and nationally significant artists such as The Chooky Dancers, Archie Roach, Lou Bennett and Troy Cassar-Daley. Clancestry also included a performance of dirtsong by Black Arm Band in QPAC's Concert Hall.

The program for Clancestry showcased traditional and contemporary art forms and put the continuation, revitalisation and dynamic evolution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in the spotlight.

The next Clancestry is expected to take place in February 2014.

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