About ILBIJERRI

ILBIJERRI is one of Australia’s leading theatre companies creating innovative works by First Peoples artists. The longest established First Peoples theatre company in Australia, ILBIJERRI creates, presents and tours powerful and engaging theatre by First Peoples artists that gives voice to our Cultures.

ILBIJERRI is committed to growing a sustainable and vibrant First Peoples arts ecology and is investing in the next generation of First Peoples theatre makers and industry professionals. 

Deep listening with and for Community and Country is central to our work. We take seriously our role as cultural leaders, continuing to make work that speaks to the truth of this country, celebrating the extraordinary resilience and strength of First Nations Peoples.

With 2021 marking 30 years since incorporation, ILBIJERRI continues to bring the brilliance and sophistication of bold, black voices to audiences in country halls, community spaces, prisons and major venues, across Australia and the world.

ELDERS IN RESIDENCE

Vital to the company’s operations has been the role of our Elders as cultural authorities and leaders. This ongoing program acknowledges the importance of Elders in our Community as leaders and keepers of Culture and knowledge. 

Our Elders in Residence, N’arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs and Uncle Larry Walsh, contribute to ILBIJERRI’s strategic, artistic and cultural direction, with a particular focus on nurturing future generations.

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OUR MISSION

PURPOSE

ILBIJERRI Theatre Company exists to:

• Create impactful theatre by First Peoples that tells our stories our way, embedding creative sovereignty in all our work and continuing our Songlines
• Meet our responsibilities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including aspirations of voice and truth-telling, uplift, healing, opportunity, and access
• Inform and encourage accomplices in the fight to eradicate racism

VISION

First Peoples voices are powerful in determining the future of Australia. We create impact by and for First Peoples through sharing our stories, our way.

VALUES

THE POWER OF FIRST PEOPLES' VOICES 
We work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers (writers, directors, actors, key creatives, theatre practitioners), to tell our stories through high quality theatre as a continuation of our culture.

FIRST PEOPLES' PROTOCOLS AND WAYS OF WORKING 
We respect our people, community, and artists by working in accordance with the protocols of our own Community, and those whose Country we are working on. We honour our Elders and the lineage and legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers who have come before us.

SELF-DETERMINATION 
We ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people drive all key decision-making processes within ILBIJERRI.

RESPECT
We always give our fullest respect to our people, our Elders, our Culture, and Country and to all peoples with whom we share our land. We work with reciprocity and empathy, ensuring that all voices are heard.

DIVERSITY OF FIRST PEOPLES 
We respect, celebrate, and embrace the cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, our stories, our culture, and our experiences.

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HISTORY

ILBIJERRI (pronounced ‘il BIDGE er ree) is a Woiwurrung word meaning ‘Coming together for Ceremony’.

ILBIJERRI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Theatre Cooperative (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company) was formed in 1991 when a group of Naarm/Melbourne First Peoples artists and Community members came together to form a professional theatre company for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Victoria.

Since the company’s inception we have been initiating and developing performances in collaboration with Community and artists. Our plays explore a range of complex and controversial issues from a uniquely First Peoples perspective. Our work possesses the power to reach out and remind audiences of every person’s need for family, history and heritage.

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ANNUAL REPORTS

Awards

2023 GREEN ROOM, OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
HEART IS A WASTELAND - Gary Watling, Lydia Fairhall, and James Henry

2021 GREEN ROOM, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ILBIJERRI Artistic Director, Rachael Maza

2019 AUSTRALIA COUNCIL AWARD FOR THEATRE
ILBIJERRI Artistic Director, Rachael Maza

2017 MELBOURNE AWARD
Contribution to Community by a Community Organisation

2017 DROVER AWARD ILBIJERRI Artistic Director, Rachael Maza - Touring Legend

2016 GREEN ROOM AWARD
BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR - Best Independent Theatre Production

2015 VICHEALTH AWARD
Building Health Through Arts

2015 DRAMA VICTORIA AWARD
Best Performance by a Theatre Company for VCE Drama - BEAUTIFUL ONEDAY

2014 HELPMANN AWARD
Best Regional Tour for 2013 - National Tour of JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN

2014 APACA DROVER AWARD
Tour of the Year for the 2013 - National Tour of JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN

2014 GREEN ROOM ASSOCIATION AWARD For Industry Contribution

2014 MELBOURNE AWARDS FINALIST
For Contribution to Profile by a Community Organisation

2013 CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AUSTRALIA AWARDS Creative Partnerships Arts & Health Award - ILBIJERRI Theatre & Department of Health and Hepatitis Victoria

2012 HELPMANN AWARD NOMINATION Rachael Maza – Best Director Nominee for JACK CHARLES V CROWN

2012 HELPMANN AWARD NOMINATION Jack Charles – Best Actor Nominee for JACK CHARLES V CROWN

2012 THE SIDNEY MYER PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS Group Winner

2011 THE WOOR-DUNGIN AWARDS Celebrating partnerships between Indigenous organisations and philanthropy

2008 PUBLIC HEALTHCARE AWARDS Department of Services Secretary’s award for CHOPPED LIVER

2008 INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY JUSTICE AWARDS
Enforcement Initiative - CHOPPED LIVER

2006 DEADLY AWARDS Outstanding achievement in literature - Gary Foley, Kylie Belling and John Harding for DIRTY MILE