Bunuru Festival switches to Pioneer Park amid total fire ban

This weekend’s Bunuru festival celebrating Indigenous culture has moved to Cowaramup due to a total fire ban.

The ban, which includes a ban on harvest vehicle movements, has forced the popular event to relocate from Riflebutts Reserve to Pioneer Park in Cowaramup.

Events company Ahoy, which is managing the festival on behalf of the Undalup Association and Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association, said the change was regrettable but bushfire safety was important.

“I believe a number of events are getting caught up in the total fire ban this weekend,” Ahoy’s Brianna Delaporte told the Times

The festival on February 24 will deliver a jam-packed festival program to residents keen to engage with Wadandi culture as part of the Augusta-Margaret River community.

Undalup chair Zac Webb said the festival was an opportunity for the wider community to come together to celebrate Bunuru, the second summer in the Indigenous calendar, as well as a chance to showcase local Aboriginal culture.

“It’s about bringing community together on country to celebrate country,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out there, friends and families connecting and enjoying the music, crafts and things to do.

“And I’m really looking forward to the day itself, where our family can celebrate culture alongside the wider community that live and work on Saltwater country.”

The festival is now in its fourth year and emphasises a family friendly atmosphere, including no smoking, vaping or alcohol under the Act Belong Commit sponsorship.

Main stage acts include Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, Phil Walley-Stack, The Nomadics, MissGenius and Coen Fowler.

The 2024 program includes workshops and arts activities including basket weaving, paint by numbers, and hip-hop workshops, group colouring-in, keychain making and kite workshops.

Food trucks will be catering at the event.