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We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recognising their resilience and ongoing connection to land, water and culture, despite ongoing colonial interruption and genocide.
Always was, always will be, sacred Indigenous land.
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Goodbye Aunty Flo
She has many names: Crimson Wave, Code Red, Bloody Mary, Girl Flu, Lady Curse, Aunty Flo… but there’s nothing to see here.
Meet Flo, the unwelcome Aunty everyone complains about, but who we depend on for our very existence.
You would think we’d be proud of this most significant Tidda - keeper of our divine feminine power - but we hide her away and talk about her in whispers, especially later on when she stops turning up altogether. This is her story, or is it?
A hilarious play created by mob for mob, exploring the ups and downs of the most natural stage of anyone who bleeds life - menopause.
The story was developed by Nazaree Dickerson for ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, and was born out of real life experiences of First Nations women.
2024 Tour
Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival
Fri 15 March 2024, 7pm
No charge, bookings required
Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans, VIC
Gasworks Theatre
Fri 22 March 2024, 7pm
Cnr Graham and Pickles Streets, Albert Park, Melbourne, VIC
The Memo Healesville
Sun 24 March 2024, 2pm
235 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, VIC
West Gippsland Arts Centre
Mon 25 March 2024, 7:30pm
Corner of Smith and Albert Streets,
1 Civic Pl, Warragul VIC
Goodbye Aunty Flo will also be touring to Community organisations across Victoria. We will be performing in Geelong, Wyndham Vale, Portland, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Bairnsdale, Sale, and Morwell.
If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like to attend a Community performance please reach out to our Community Engagement Coordinator, Della Bedford, via [email protected] or call 0477 955 192 for more information.
Background
In 2021, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company commissioned playwright Nazaree Dickerson, to write a play that captured women’s experiences of menopause. Nazaree undertook consultation in her local First Nations community and the broader Victorian community and the story was born out of conversations about this often misunderstood life transition.
The production of GOODBYE AUNTY FLO will integrate the many facets of menopause and the personal stories Nazaree uncovered, which allow for a better understanding of and comfort with this specific stage in life.
Little understood and often underestimated, menopause affects every woman directly and every family member indirectly. The play explores individual experiences and responses and seeks to empower women to make choices that minimise the negative impacts of menopause.
The creative team has been supported by health promotion experts, community health workers, and Community Elders, as well as engaging with Community to explore women’s business in relation to menopause. Two online women’s yarning circles took place, as well as an in-person women’s morning tea, weaving workshop, and creative development. GOODBYE AUNTY FLO team toured to metro and regional Victoria in the second half of 2022, promoting conversation about menopause and the show through women’s events that combine performance and yarning circles, to create engagement for the 2023 tour.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government via the Department of Health
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer Nazaree Dickerson
Director Rachael Maza
Performers Lisa Maza, Georgia MacGuire, Kristel-Lee Kickett
Community Engagement Coordinator Della Bedford
Producer Laura Harris
Artwork Winyarr's Perfect Imperfection, by Madison Connors of Yarli Creative 2022
