Middleton Beach WA, Australia
First Lights – Binalup
Kim Scott
8 Apr 2023
Middleton Beach, Albany
Date and time
8 Apr 2023
6pm
Entry
FREE
Accessibility
Date and time
8 Apr 2023
6pm
Entry
FREE
Accessibility
Award-winning Noongar author, Kim Scott, transforms the place of first light, Binalup (Albany) presenting a rhythmic arrangement of language and light to allude to old stories, including Mamang Koort, the beating whale heart. Guided by the Albany Heritage Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation (AHRGAC), local Menang Custodians impart their ancient knowledge of the lands and waters to bring audiences this deeply moving experience.
“This piece is inspired by some of the Creation Stories around the town of Albany. Riffing on rhythms of south coastal Noongar language and gathering energy from pools and pulsing water, it summons the great Mother to return with light and song and open up our world.” – Kim Scott
Co-presented with the City of Albany.
Artist: Kim Scott
Sound Design: Envelope Audio
Narrated by Kim Scott
Animation: Jarrad Russell
Technical Partner: Stellar Lights
Livestream & Videography: Kitecast
The artist would also like to acknowledge the trust and support of Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories, and to thank Noongar staff and students at Albany Senior High School, Great Southern Grammar, Mt Lockyer Primary School, North Albany Senior High School, Saint Joseph’s College, and Spencer Park Primary School for their voices and the good fun.
About the artist
Kim Scott
Kim Scott is an award-winning novelist, having twice won the Miles Franklin Award (for Benang and That Deadman Dance) along with many other Australian literary prizes. Kim was 2012 West Australian of the Year, is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, a member of the Western Australian Writers Hall of Fame and in 2022 was declared a State Cultural Treasure. He is currently Curtin University Distinguished Professor in the School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry.
Proud to be on among those who call themselves Noongar, Kim’s is convenor of Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories (www.wirlomin.com.au) which is responsible for a number of bilingual (Noongar and English) picture books and regional performances of story and song. Two books, A Companion to the Works of Kim Scott (Camden House, 2016) and Kim Scott: language, readers and interpretation (UWAP, 2019) deal with aspects of his writing and career.
Duration: 45 minutes
Pre-show performances begins: 6pm
Welcome to Country and drone light show: 7pm
Road Closures:
Road closures will be in place along Marine Drive, Albany from 4.30pm – 9pm.
Viewing Locations:
The best viewing locations to see First Lights: Binalup at Middelton Beach is shown in the event map below.
Event Information: This is an outdoor event, with limited shelter available. It takes place at night, and there may be some walking involved. We recommend wearing warm, comfortable clothing, and bringing along plenty of water. Food won’t be food available at the event, but we encourage you to bring along a picnic.
Weather: This event is highly dependent on weather conditions and will not go ahead in the event of rain or strong winds. Follow @first_lights on Facebook and Instagram pages for live announcements, and www.cityofalbanyevents.com.
Latecomers: We recommend arriving early to allow time for parking and to get a good viewing spot. The duration of the drone show is only 15 minutes, so arriving late means you might miss out!
Triggers: Viewers are warned that this performance will include flashing lights. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this work may contain references to deceased people.
Facilities: Public toilets including disabled access toilets are available at the event.
Further information coming soon via the City of Albany events page here.
Parking:
Parking is available at the Flinders Parade car park, Eyre Park, or at the Golf Course off Wollaston Road.
Shuttle Buses:
A FREE shuttle bus service will depart from the Marina at the Albany Boatshed Markets (256 Princess Royal Drive, Albany), to Middleton Beach every 15 minutes from 5pm until 6.45pm. Return bus services will also commence after the event, concluding at 8.45pm.
Food & Drink:
Food and drink will be available at the Three Anchors Café. We also recommend bringing a picnic.
Event Area:
The main event viewing area is located on a sand beach at Middleton Beach. Viewing is also available on the grass area (however, parts of this viewing area will be obstructed by tress). The grassed area is accessible via a flat road from the Flinders Parade car park.
Parking:
Accessible parking bays will be marked at the Flinders Parade car park, a short distance from the Event Area. See event map.
Toilets:
Accessible ACROD toilet facilities are available at the Surf Life Saving Club. See event map.
Kim Scott, First Lights – Binalup (2023). Courtesy of the artist and Fremantle Biennale. Photo: Jarrad Russell.
