31 Foreshore Dr, Geraldton WA 6530, Australia
First Lights – Bimarra
Mabel Gibson
Sat 18 October 2025
Geraldton Foreshore (Stow Gardens)
Date and time
Sat 18 October 2025
NAIDOC Week community activities by Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation from 4.30pm | Drone light show 8pm
Entry
FREE
Accessibility
Date and time
Sat 18 October 2025
NAIDOC Week community activities by Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation from 4.30pm | Drone light show 8pm
Entry
FREE
Accessibility
First Lights returns to the foreshore of Geraldton this October, inviting audiences to discover a story of returning to Country and the grounding sense of belonging this brings.
Created by emerging Yamatji writer Mabel Gibson, First Lights – Bimarra will see 240 drones take flight to tell the story of a young woman returning to her ancestral lands and rivers shaped by the Bimarra (Serpent).
Presented by Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation
Produced by Fremantle Biennale
Artist: Mabel Gibson
Narrator: Donna Ronan
Animation: Jarrad Russell
Sound Design: Ken Meyer (Kumo-bako)
Videography: David Le May
Technical Partners: Stellar Lights and Elite Lighting
About the artist
Mabel Gibson
Mabel Gibson is a twenty five year old Yamitji writer. Mabel grew up in Boorloo (Perth), Kinjarling (Albany), and Jambinu (Geraldton) – three vastly different locations, whose landscapes and climates all play an important role in Mabel’s story. Mabel’s debut book ‘CryBaby’ came out in early 2025 and is a collection of micro memoirs, that follows her through all the seasons of life, from the brightest summers to the coldest darkest winters and all the transitions and rebirths in between. Mabel’s work explores what it is to grow up First Nations in the 21st century.
Welcome to Country: 6.30pm
Drone Light Show: 8pm
Event Area & Viewing Locations: The best viewing locations are at the Geraldton Foreshore (Stows Garden)
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.
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!
Parking:
Parking is available along Foreshore Drive, with the main carpark located across the road from the Event Area. Additional car parks can be found at Chapman Road and next to the Mantra Geraldton.
Food & Drink:
The event is held close to Geraldton town centre, where there are many food vendors available. Alternatively, we recommend bringing a picnic.
Road Closures:
Forrest St (from Foreshore Drive to the Marina) will be closed from 4pm – 10pm on the event day.
Facilities: Public toilets including Accessible ACROD toilet facilities are available at the event.
Parking: Accessible parking bays will be marked along Foreshore Drive, directly in front of the Event Area.
Access: The event area and drone light show can be accessed and viewed via pedestrian footpaths. It is located a short distance (under 100metres) from ACROD parking bays.
Charmaine Papertalk Green, First Lights – Winthu Wangga, 2024. Photo: Mario Veloso.
