The Mackay Torres Strait Islander Cultural Group recently achieved an unforgettable victory at DanceRites 2024, Australia’s premier national dance competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. Hosted at the iconic Sydney Opera House, this event brought together nearly 300 dancers from all over the country to showcase their culture, language, and heritage. For the Mackay group, it was their very first time entering the competition, and they brought home the win.
“Pretty much, we practiced all year around,” explained Frank Cook, a proud member of the group.
“We were preparing for NAIDOC events, Reconciliation Week, and other celebrations, so we kept practicing and perfecting our routine for DanceRites,” Frank said.
This dedication paid off, especially in the final round, where the group’s unique performance captivated the judges and audience alike.
Reflecting on what set them apart, Frank noted, “Our final performance was really special. It wasn’t something that had been done before.
“We used flag signals to represent the Mackay postcode which tied into the uniqueness of the song, and the dance was inspired by a captain using the environment around him with the winds and the tides.
The Mackay Torres Strait Islander Cultural group’s win is not just a personal achievement for the dancers but a significant victory for the whole Mackay community. Frank shared that “we’re still trying to comprehend what happened it was such a spontaneous entry…There was eighteen groups all up, and we came out on top.”
Frank says the group represents a holistic approach to culture, including singing, dancing, language, and traditional practices like cooking and hunting.
“We’re not just a dance group,” Frank explained.
“We try to represent our heritage and identity in everything we do.”
He encourages the youth to go and sit down with their elders and get that cultural knowledge.
“There’s only a few elders left and once it’s gone that’s pretty much our walking library, so take that time to sit with the elders, get that story, get that language and get that history.”
The group extends their gratitude to all supporters, sponsors and community members who backed them all the way up to their victory with fundraisers and encouragement. Their victory is a shared achievement that honours the strength of culture. Next year, the group will return to DanceRites 2025 as honoured guests, leaving a lasting mark at the Sydney Opera House in 2024.
The Mackay Torres Strait Islander Cultural Group danced their way to victory at DanceRites 2024, celebrating culture, language, and heritage on the iconic stage of the Sydney Opera House! Photo credit: mkytsiculturalgroup (Instagram)
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
