Tracker

Written by Daniel Riley and presented by Bureau of Works in association with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company who commissioned the work.

TRACKER, a multidisciplinary work by Wiradjuri choreographer and director, Daniel Riley, explores the life and story of his Great-Great Uncle Alec ‘Tracker’ Riley, a Wiradjuri Elder from Dubbo NSW, who served the NSW Police Force as a tracker for 40 years through the beginning of the 20th century.

TRACKER was the first work in development emerging out of our support for creative practitioners through our Executive Leadership Program. Now in its second year of development, it is a culturally rich and ambitiously original work, exploring the legacy of Alec Riley’s decisions in the face of a forcefully implemented colonial system, a legacy that fuels our continued cultural resilience.

Featuring interwoven dance, music and text, TRACKER is developed collaboratively by an experienced team of First Nations creatives, led by Daniel Riley, and consisting of award-winning playwright Ursula Yovich, ILBIJERRI's Artistic Director Rachael Maza AM, composer James Henry, visual artist Jonathan Jones and an all First Nations cast.

This production has been assisted by the Australian Government's Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., supported by Sydney Festival, RISING and the City of Melbourne through Arts House.

This project was initiated by Daniel Riley and ILBIJERRI Theatre Company. Produced by Bureau of Works. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria; Dubbo Regional Council; Annamila Foundation; and the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Knowledge Institute.