To celebrate National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week 2025, Raine Square proudly presents the return of Maar Koodjal. This seven-week program, running from 27 May to 13 July, features immersive First Nations art and interactive cultural experiences, including live music, dance, visual performances, storytelling, art exhibitions, fashion showcases, and radio broadcasts. Join us to connect with the history, culture, and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through a diverse lineup of events led by celebrated First Nations creatives.
Framed by National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June) and NAIDOC Week (6 - 13 July), this year's theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” encourages reflection and celebration. Key highlights include didgeridoo performance and dance workshops by Ash Garlett Penfold, visual art by Starsan Roe, Marcia McGuire, and Courtney Garlett, and music by Lilly Gogos, Indigo Ellis, and Ricky Neil Jnr. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with one of the oldest continuous living cultures on earth at Raine Square.
 | Live Painting & Gallery📍 Bankwest Place Plaza & Raine Lane 📅 Monday 27 May to Sunday 13 JulyLive Art Schedule
| Join us for an immersive experience as talented First Nations artists create live paintings over seven weeks. Each artist will showcase their unique style and cultural heritage, bringing their art to life in real-time. Don't miss this vibrant celebration of creativity and tradition! |
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Ngaluk Waangkiny
📍 Bankwest Place Retail Tunnel📅 1 April to 13 July
Listen elders share their experiences and learnings from the Perth Exclusion Zone. Listen to Elders: AUNTY MURIEL BOWIE, AUNTY MARGARET CULBONG (in memoriam), AUNTY DOOLANN LEISHA EATTS (in memoriam), UNCLE ALBERT MCNAMARA,UNCLE NOEL NANNUP, | UNCLE BEN TAYLOR CUIERMARA, AUNTY IRENE MCNAMARA,AUNTY THERESA WALLEY (in memoriam), UNCLE FARLEY GARLETT and UNCLE WALTER EATTS.Learn the history of Booroloo (Perth), with the Community Arts Network. The Community Arts Network’s vision is to build intercultural understanding and collaboration in the arts, producing work that is truly reflective of Australia’s diverse cultures and communities.
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 | Walyalup Place Names 📍 Raine Square, Ground Floor📅 27 May to 13 July Learn the native names of Australian flora and fauna and about the Community Arts Network.
| The illustrations, coordinated by arts practitioners Natalie Scholtz, Elly Jones and Sandy McKendrick, were created by 38 First Nations artists from the Walyalup area.The Community Arts Network’s vision is to build intercultural understanding and collaboration in the arts, producing work that is truly reflective of Australia’s diverse cultures and communities. |
 | Maar Koodjal Gallery Exhibition📍Blank Walls
📅 27 May to Saturday 13 July🕛 Gallery Hours Incoming | View the dynamic gallery exhibition celebrating the creativity and cultural heritage of First Nations artists. Experience live art and explore a diverse range of exhibits over seven inspiring weeks!Featured Artists: Starsan Roe, Marcia McGuire, and Courtney Garlett |
 | Wrap Celebration📍Blank Walls
📅 Friday 11 July🕛6pm - 9pm | Join us for seven weeks of live painting by three talented First Nations artists, culminating in a festive wrap-up party with drinks, nibbles, and artist talks. Celebrate creativity, culture, and community at Maar Koodjal! |
DANCE | | |
 | Active Dance Workshop & Performance📍 Bankwest Place Plaza📅 Wednesday 18 June, 12pm - 1pm📅 Tuesday 8 July, 11:30am - 12:30pm | Participate or watch an exhilarating active dance workshop and performance hosted by Corroboree for Life, a community organization founded in 2018 by proud Noongar man Ash (Garlett) Penfold. This inclusive event invites everyone to learn and experience First Nations dances. Under Ash’s guidance and with the support of elders and partners, Corroboree for Life has grown and diversified, now part of the Gather Hospitality Group – an Aboriginal-owned food and catering business. |
SHOP |
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 | Kirrikin Pop-Up Shop📍 Activation Space (12) 📅 27 May to 14 June🕛 Trading Hours incoming 💥 20% off during MAAR KOODJAL on website above (promo code FN25)Join us in honoring First Nations Fashion with Perth local luxury resort wear, and accessories designer, Kirrikin,
| "Kirrikin" is an Indigenous word, roughly translating to "Sunday's best clothes." This word was part of the original language recorded by missionaries in the Hunter Valley during the early 1820s and has become a symbol of our commitment to Wonnarua language revitalisation.Kirrikin is the meeting place for luxury clothing, accessories and contemporary Indigenous Australian art.
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 | Liyan Pop-Up Shop📍 Bankwest Place, Mezzanine📅 27 May to 13 July 🕛Every Friday, 10am - 3pm💥 30% off during MAAR KOODJAL on website above (promo code FNC30)Liyan is a unique First Nations owned brand that offers products supporting physical health and wellbeing, while seamlessly fusing culture, aesthetics, and practicality. | Founded in 2023 by proud Nyikina Mangala and Jabirr Jabirr woman Simone Atkinson, Liyan specializes in creating and selling sand-free travel towels, gym towels, and the recently added yoga mats. Simone's passion for sports and the outdoors, combined with her creative background, inspired the launch of LiyanSustainability Focus: Liyan emphasizes low environmental impact, with products made from recycled materials, promoting both movement and wellbeing, |
MUSIC | | |
 | Didgeridoo Performance📍 Bankwest Lobby 📅 Tuesday 27 May 🕛 8am - 9 am | Experience the mesmerizing sounds of the didgeridoo in a performance hosted by Corroboree for Life, a community organization founded in 2018 by proud Noongar man Ash (Garlett) Penfold. Under Ash’s guidance and with the support of elders and partners, Corroboree for Life has grown and diversified, now part of the Gather Hospitality Group – an Aboriginal-owned food and catering business. |
 | Moorditj Mag Live Broadcast 📍 Location incoming 📅 Date incoming 🕛11am - 1pm | Join us for a special live broadcast of Moorditj Mag on RTR FM, a weekly program dedicated to Indigenous affairs, culture, music, and arts. Hosted by Noongar Elders Jim Morrison and Nick Abraham, the show features insightful discussions, empowering stories, and interviews with community leaders and artists. Tune in every Thursday at 11 am on RTR FM 92.1 to celebrate Aboriginal heritage and be part of this vibrant conversation. |
.jpg?sfvrsn=6daec728_1) | Lily Gogos📍 Bankwest Lobby & Raine Square Food Court 📅 Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 May 🕛 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Lilly’s sound is a mix of Gospel, soul, country and blues. She studied music in Brisbane and Perth and gained industry recognition, when she won Best Aboriginal/TSI song at the 2003 MUSICOZ Awards.Love Lilly? See her on tour, with Award winning band The Yabu Band. |
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Indigo Ellis Duo📍Bankwest Lobby📅 Tuesday 8 July 🕛 12:30pm - 1:30pm | Indigo Ellis is a remarkable young artist from Noongar Boodjar, known for her extraordinary voice and storytelling through music. At just 18, she has already made a significant impact in the music industry, blending her Noongar Nunga heritage with contemporary sounds. |
 | Ricky Neil Jr Duo📍 Raine Square Food Court 📅 Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 July🕛 12:30pm - 1:30pm | “Ricky Neil Jr.” is an homage to his father and his roots as a proud Menang Noongar man. Accompanied by an all-star band of young Perth musicians – Ricky delivers a live performance that blends genres from funk and pop to rock and soul. Inspired by the likes of Prince, INXS and Silk Sonic, leading man Ricky showcases powerful vocals and dazzling showmanship, channelling a distinctive energy that can turn an artist into an icon of the stage. |
STORIES | | |
 | Songlines 📍Short Story Machine | Raine Square, Ground Floor📅 27 May to 13 July Songlines is a new RTRFM podcast shining a light on First Nations artists across WA.
Integral to Indigenous spirituality, Songlines outline the paths of ancestral spirits as they created the land, animals and lore to guide their descendants.Join Cezera Critti-Schnaars as she yarns with creatives across music, theatre, dance and television, paving the way for the next generation of storytellers. | Cezera Critti-Schnaars, a young Noongar and Greek actress from Boorloo, Western Australia, discovered her passion for acting early on. She completed the Aboriginal Performance Course at WAPPA in 2018 and has been dancing since age eight. In 2020, she made her professional debut in Yirri Yaakin’s Hecate at Perth Festival. Currently, she is co-directing the 2023 Perth Festival world premiere of Seven Sisters with WA Theatre Company.Songlines is produced by Danielle Raffaele. Production consultation by Kobi Arthur-Morrison. Artwork by Wayne Ryder. Music by Maatakitj. |
 | First Nation Stories 📍 Short Story Machine | Raine Square, Ground Floor📅 27 May to 13 July Explore a captivating collection of stories from First Nations authors, brought to you by Community Arts Network, Uniting WA and Writing WA. The Short Story Machine offers an interactive experience where, with just a press of a button, you can receive a randomly dispensed story. | This unique event celebrates the rich storytelling traditions of First Nations communities, providing a platform for their voices to be heard and appreciated. Each story is a window into the diverse cultures, histories, and perspectives of First Nations authors, offering a profound and enriching experience for all.Join us and immerse yourself in the power of storytelling, as we honor and showcase the talent and creativity of First Nations writers. |
 | Unity📍 Wentworth Building, Lobby📅 27 May to 13 July In 2024 we collaborated with Julianne Wade for Unity. This installation was created by sourced preloved office furniture to create an inspiring art piece, creating unity between culture and office. The perfect symbol of work-life-balance. | This installation was created by sourced preloved office furniture to create an inspiring art piece, creating unity between culture and office. The perfect symbol of work-life-balance.
Learn more about Julianne Wade and the artists from the Whadjuk Collective. |
 | An Evolution of Storytelling...
📍 Raine Square, Lower Ground In 2021 we collaboartated with local artist, Rosie Paine, to hand paint six totem poles symbolising the six different seasons. The totems formed an art trail displaying through the precinct. In 2022 we learned how the six Noongar seasons | guided food gathering, distributing recipe cards inspired by native ingredients that aligned with each season.We were proud to collaborate with local Whadjuk Ballardong Noongar and Badimaya Yamatji man, Jayden Boundry, for cultural guidance and Whadjuk, Ballardong and Yuat artist Jarni McGuire. |
THANK YOU TO OUR PARNTERS
