Milbi Festival 2019 was officially launched this morning with the new logo and branding unveiled in Buss Park.
The Bundaberg Region’s newest festival is a celebration of arts and culture that puts a spotlight on some of the region’s most unique features.
Milbi is a Gurang word for turtle and the festival will act as a celebratory launch of the region’s turtle season.
Goreng Goreng/Taribelang artist Rachael Sarra developed the branding for the festival which she says reflects the region and its first people.
“The Milbi Festival is a celebration of place, culture, art and community,” Ms Sarra said.
“It is a festival for everyone.
“It is an opportunity to celebrate the rebirth, ritual and regeneration.”
Taking inspiration from the event’s ethos, Ms Sarra said the logo celebrated the beauty of the ocean and rivers.
“The turtles are celebrated in a different colour, expressing their unique navigation ability.
“Much like turtles returning home, the festival will bring together people, art culture and diversity.
“Turtles have a unique ability to understand where they were born and have come from.
“They live, navigate and explore the ocean for 20-30 years and then return home to their birth place to nest.
“This beautiful fact is a connection to our First Nation’s people. We are born, we live and we return home to Country.”
Additional Milbi Festival branding elements for the festival are vibrant, contemporary and engaging. The colours are inspired by the region’s natural surrounds and the collection of elements celebrate culture, community, diversity and the Milbi.
Milbi Festival branding the first of many exciting announcements
Community and Cultural Services portfolio spokeswoman Cr Judy Peters said it was exciting to reveal the branding for the inaugural Milbi Festival.
“The Milbi Festival is a true celebration of arts and culture within the region that brings our community together and highlights the wealth of talent hidden just under its surface,” Cr Peters said.
“In that sense Council’s collaboration with Rachael Sarra to reveal this vibrant and engaging design is the festival’s first success.”
Cr Peters said Buss Park was chosen for the launch as it would be the location of an exciting and memorable Gala Opening event on November 15 which would include a specially composed piece of music marking the start of turtle season.
“Dane Costigan, who joined Council in the park for the launch, will be a feature of this exciting performance.
“We’re looking forward to revealing the details of the full program next month.
“What we can promise is that there will be a jam-packed ten days of events that showcase our region which the entire community can get involved in.”
About Milbi:
CQ Language Centre worked with Council to develop the Milbi Festival name, choosing an engaging word that connects with the theme to celebrate the region’s turtles.
This name coincides with the 2019 focus as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
While there are many different language groups with different words for various turtle species within the region, the name Milbi recognises the thousands of generations of people on this place we now call home.
Council pays respect to the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Bailai people of our region.
