Tura - Culture Through Sound

02/06/2026

This National Reconciliation Week, Tura acknowledges the ongoing work of First Nations artists, communities, cultural leaders and organisations across the country.

A key focus of our work is celebrating and supporting First Nations peoples and cultures through long-term relationships grounded in learning, creative collaboration and ambitious artistic practice.

Current projects including Mungangga Garlagula, Sound Connections and the Sound FX Kimberley Song Muster, continue to be shaped through sustained partnerships with artists and communities across the Pilbara, Kimberley, Australia, South East Asia and the Pacific.

The 2026 National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation requires ongoing commitment and action from us all.

#1: Mark Atkins (Yamatji) & Errki Veltheim during Mungangga Garlagula's development at UKARIA Cultural Centre. Photo by Matt Byrne
#2 L-R: Septina Layan (Papua), Chris Griffiths (Miriwoong), and Mark Atkins gathered in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for Kai Jawa as part of Sound Connections. Photo by Agung Prasetyo
#3: Dr Gillian Howell on Bunuba country for Sound FX. Photo by Edify Media

Reconciliation Australia

29/05/2026

Congrats to Stephen Pigram, recognised during National Reconciliation Week with the 2026 Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence at the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards.

A Yawuru singer-songwriter from Broome and one of Australia’s most respected cultural voices, Stephen has spent decades sharing Kimberley stories through music, theatre and film.

Tura has had the privilege of collaborating with Stephen across many projects since 2006, including Kimberley Echoes, the Sonus tours and the Kimberley-Indonesia Project. His work and wisdom continue to leave a lasting impact on artists, audiences and communities across the country.

A much-deserved recognition.

📷 Stephen Pigram, Tura's Kimberley Echoes tour ft. The Narli Ensemble, Aug 2018

Reconciliation Australia Creative Australia The Pigram Brothers

21/05/2026

19/05/2026

Mungangga Garlagula by Mark Atkins and Erkki Veltheim is heading east in June and July for performances as part of Sydney Opera House's Music on Tubowgule program on 26–27 June, and at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren, Victoria on 4 July.

The production was developed through our Kimberley touring program, with Mark and Erkki collaborating over many years as members of The Narli Ensemble. Mungangga Garlagula continues to develop and evolve with each performance as they uncover further nuances within the quadrophonic sound bed and stories.

Read more | Book tickets: https://tura.com.au/news/mungangga-garlagula-to-tour-the-east-coast-in-june-and-july

Video by Edify Media

01/05/2026

Brenda Shaw (Marra Worra Worra) and Gillian (TURA) perform “The Right-Size Galwanyi” at the Night Space, a song whose name means “sawfish” in the Gooniyandi language.

Written by Brenda Shaw, Patricia Cox, Delphine Shandley, Min En Chek and Gillian Howell while working as educators at Baya Gawiy, the song shares an important message about caring for the river and protecting its life. The sawfish is part of the protected species, and “Galwanyi” calls on all of us to look after not only this fish, but all river life.

It’s a reminder to take only what we need, avoid overconsumption, and respect the river, the species and the cultural heritage it sustains.

28/04/2026

TURA hit up Night Space this week and what a vibe! 🎸 Everyone got involved, kids, staff and even the police stopped by to help with the guitars. Such an amazing week! Check out this video to see who TURA is and what it’s all about 🙌

27/04/2026

The Kimberley Song Muster is underway in Fitzroy Crossing as part of our Sound FX program.

This residency brings together community songwriters, educators and partners to support the creation and sharing of songs in First Languages.

Workshops are running alongside youth-focused activity through the Night Space program in partnership with Marra Worra Worra, creating space for music-making, songwriting and shared creative activity with young people.

Read more: https://tura.com.au/news/kimberley-song-muster-underway-in-fitzroy-crossing

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Photo 1: Faith Atwell, Gillian Howell & Sam Newman at Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation's Youth Hub

Photo 2: Gillian Howell & June Nixon rehearsing her song Jalu Palu Yani (Long Time Ago) to be recorded this week

Photo 3: Bart Marr & Sam Newman at Wangki Yupurnanupurru Radio

Photo 4: Faith Atwell, Gillian Howell & Sam Newman

07/04/2026

Last week in Broome was expansive, with partners and community coming together to shape the next phase of Sound FX – the Kimberley Song Muster.

Across several days, artists, educators and organisations came together to reconnect, plan and build new relationships, with a shared focus on songwriting, language and cultural exchange across the Kimberley.

We’re grateful to all involved including Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation, Kimberley Arts Network, Wangki Yupurnanupurru Radio, The Australian National University and Nulungu Research Institute. Thanks to Nulungu for hosting the Talking Heads Seminar at The University of Notre Dame Australia in Broome, where Emily Carter (Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre) and Dr Gillian Howell presented on the collaborative songwriting project Buga Yanu Junba, exploring its role in supporting language, cultural knowledge and wellbeing. The event also included a performance by Buga Yanu Junba songwriters and performers Faith Attwell, June Nixon, Judy Bent, and Eva Nargoodah.

Last week also marked Annika Moses’ final Sound FX and Tura activity for the foreseeable future. Annika has been a key part of the program over many years, and it feels fitting for it to be in Broome alongside Fitzroy Valley women to close this chapter of her work with us. More soon.

30/03/2026

In this video, Natalie Davey reflects on her practice and the making of Nightscape, an immersive three-screen installation incorporating surround sound and animation.

Developed with support from Tura, the installation brings together Natalie’s work across photography, soundscapes, and multimedia.

Nightscape is currently on view at the 25th Biennale of Sydney: Rememory, White Bay Power Station, Wangal, until 14 June 2026.

📹 Edify Media

23/03/2026

The Nulungu Research Institute’s Talking Heads Seminar Series is happening in Broome on Wednesday 1 April at The University of Notre Dame Australia.

This free, community-driven event explores the story behind Buga Yanu Junba - a songbook and album of 22 original songs in Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Walmajarri and Kimberley Kriol, created through a three-year collaboration between educators at Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u Centre, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre, The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Tura as part of our Sound FX program.

Light lunch from 12pm, seminar from 12.30pm. Follow the link to register: https://bit.ly/47c5AYI

📷 Annika Moses, Judy Bent, Dr Gillian Howell. Photo by Edify Media