Garma is an annual four-day celebration of Yolŋgu life and culture, hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation at Gulkula in remote North East Arnhem Land. Through miny’tji (art), manikay (song), buŋgul (dance), ceremony and storytelling, Garma brings together Yolŋgu families and leaders, visitors, governments and policymakers, businesses, charities and not-for-profits to listen, learn and exchange ideas.
I was incredibly lucky to attend the 2026 Garma Festival, held from 31 July to 3 August.
It’s hard to distil such a big experience into one short reflection. I’m still processing parts of it. But I wanted to share some of what has stayed with me.
First, a confession of sorts: my day-to-day life is more likely to involve an Outlook calendar structured to within an inch of its life. At Garma, I made a conscious effort to disconnect from my phone and wi-fi so I could be fully present. I didn’t regret it for a moment. One of my biggest takeaways was to challenge the idea that, amid the usual hustle, I can’t make time to be in beautiful open spaces, engage with art and music, and grapple with big ideas. Because at Garma I found the opportunity to do that enormously energising.
The breadth of the festival was extraordinary. At the iconic Key Forum, I listened to speakers including Cape York Institute leader Noel Pearson, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. I heard from Yolŋgu leaders, including Elder Djapirri Mununggirritj, and ACNC Advisory Board member Ian Hamm who joined a terrific panel on economic empowerment. Listening to Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle was another highlight.
There were outrageously great performances from Baker Boy, Emma Donovan, William Crighton and many others. I loved learning how Yolŋgu stories and songlines are reflected in the night sky in an evening astronomy session too.
But I suspect many visitors would name the daily buŋgul as a highlight. The open and enthusiastic invitation to join in on the buŋgul grounds brought the festival’s theme, Bukmak, which means “everyone”, to life in a really special way.
Across the duration of the festival, it stood out to me how often everyone was repeatedly reminded that we were welcome on Yolŋgu Country. The Yolŋgu people shared their land, traditions and knowledge with immense generosity. We were taken care of extraordinarily well. Since returning home, I’ve reflected a lot on what might be possible if we all carried just a fraction of that generosity, warmth and grace into our daily lives.
Garma was vibrant not because everyone was the same, but because people from many different places, experiences and perspectives came together with the intention to listen, respect and learn from one another.
Now, back at my desk, I’ve been thinking about what this all means for us at the ACNC. Our Statement of Commitment recognises the strengths, expertise and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the vital role First Nations organisations play in achieving community-led outcomes. Our Action Plan commits us to building our cultural understanding, collaborating with First Nations organisations and other regulators, reducing unnecessary regulatory burden, and strengthening accountability.
More broadly, as a team at the ACNC we’ll continue engaging with and listening to charities working in different settings and serving diverse communities. We’ll keep striving to ensure our regulatory approach is fair, proportionate, adaptable, and informed by charities’ real-world experiences. That applies whether a charity is working in and with First Nations communities or elsewhere across our vibrant and thriving national sector.
I had a truly wonderful time at Garma, and the experience will stay with me for a long time to come. If you ever have the opportunity to attend, take it with both hands!