Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal; in Western Australia it also takes in the Noongar season of Djilba, when wildflowers burst forth in all their dazzling refulgence.
It is fitting, then, that this year’s York Festival, which runs across two September weekends in the heart of the Avon Valley, should present a restaged under-the-stars version of WA Opera’s acclaimed work Wundig Wer Wilura, which sings the origins, in Noongar, of York’s Two Mountains Dreaming.
It is also fitting that artist, dancer and choreographer Floeur Alder should present Djilba: A Moment In Time, which, with significant contributions by artist and writer Virginia Ward, explores the Noongar season through a blend of traditional storytelling and contemporary theatre.
A collaboration between award-winning songwriters Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse and the West Australian Opera, Wundig Wer Wilura opens a festival whose program bridges past and present, Indigenous and settler narratives, natural and built environments, community engagement and professional performance, and craft and art.
Apart from opera, another big musical offering is a robust jazz program curated by Mace Francis featuring the likes of the Dan Garner Trio, Gemma Farrell & Dan Garner, and Harry Mitchell. Then there’s folk music from Melody Pool, classical music from Silver Sands Guitar Quartet, and cutting-edge music and poetry from Simon Charles and John Kinsella.
One of the visual arts drawcards is the exhibition Wundig Wer Wilura by Dennis “Noongali” Kickett, offering a fresh contemporary interpretation of the Noongar story that opens the festival. By contrast, outdoor installations and interactive art pieces transform the festival grounds into an immersive artistic experience.
Complementing the visual arts program are hands-on workshops in which adults, kids and families can get stuck into jewellery making, drawing and painting, masquerade mask-making, Arty Brellas umbrella painting and even a Bush Skills Adventure.
You might also want to try unique experiences that connect visitors with York’s natural environment. The Gogulyar Bilya/Avon River Walk, led by the River Conservation Society, explores the ecological significance of the Avon River, while the Riverside Night Safari offers a chance to discover local nocturnal wildlife.
For those wishing to explore the built environment, guided heritage walks and tours allow visitors to dive right into York’s rich history as WA’s first inland European settlement. These tours provide context to the town’s well-preserved Victorian and Federation architecture, taking in such landmarks as the York Town Hall and the York Courthouse Complex.
As for more self-guided perambulations, there’s the York Motor Museum and the Residency Museum, which provide terrific insights into the town’s history, as well as cafes like Gather York and Botanicalia and historic pubs including the Imperial Homestead and The Castle Hotel.
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The York Festival 2024 runs across two weekends, September 20-23 and 27-29. Day and weekend passes are available. See yorkfestival.com.au for more information and bookings.