BURRUNDI PRODUCTIONS
Burrundi Theatre for Performing Arts Ltd is a multidisciplinary, First Peoples-led arts organisation committed to producing vibrant public events and cultural festivals across Sydney and regional New South Wales.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Kerry Johnson, Burrundi Theatre has become a powerful platform for community-driven storytelling, cultural celebration, and connection to Country.
Kerry’s journey in festival production began in 2018 as Cultural Curator of the Corroboree Grounds at Koori Radio’s YABUN Festival. She later served as Assistant Artistic Director for YABUN 2022 and the Koori Radio NAIDOC in the City & NAIDOC Ball 2022, contributing to some of the largest Aboriginal-led cultural events in NSW.
Building on this experience, Burrundi Theatre has produced and contributed to a growing body of significant cultural events, including:
Yarruwala Wiradjuri Festival 202
One night at Warngesda 2020
Mudgin-gal Women’s Festival 2022 & 2025
Yarruwala Yalul – Griffith 2022,2023, 2024 & 2025
Marrambidya River Fest 2024
Yarruwala First Fire – Barellan 2022
Warangesda Festival 2023 & 2025
These festivals reflect Burrundi Theatre’s commitment to cultural revitalisation, artistic excellence, and grassroots community engagement. The Warangesda Festival stands as a signature event — bringing First Nations stories, history, and cultural practices to life on Country.
Warangesda Festival: A Biennial Celebration (2023 & 2025)
In 2023, Burrundi Theatre proudly produced the inaugural Warangesda Festival, a groundbreaking cultural event for the Riverina region of NSW, on Wiradjuri Country.
Spearheaded by founder and Artistic Director Kerry Johnson, the festival was established to honour and reconnect with the deep community ties and historical legacy of Warangesda Mission, located at Darlington Point, near the Murrumbidgee River.
The Warangesda Festival stands as a powerful celebration of culture, survival, and storytelling — marking a significant moment in the revitalisation of this important heritage site and its continuing place in First Nations identity.
Yarruwala Festival – A Historic Homecoming at Three-Ways (January 26, 2025)
On January 26, 2025, Burrundi Theatre made a powerful mark in cultural history by hosting the Yarruwala Festival at Three-Ways Bridge Reserve – Yarrawa Park. For the first time, the festival was held on mission land, making it a deeply significant homecoming for the local Wiradjuri community.
The event was more than a celebration — it was a unifying moment of cultural pride, truth-telling, and resilience. It honoured the strength of our grassroots community, paying tribute to our shared past while looking ahead with hope and purpose.
A central milestone of the day was the introduction of the Bulangumbaay Murruway Gulaay – Wiradjuri Elders Council, a newly established cultural authority whose leadership and guidance provided a proud foundation for the festival. This moment marked a historic step forward for both Three-Ways and the wider Griffith community.
Adding to the day’s significance, Burrundi Theatre unveiled the beginning of the Three-Ways Art Mural, a collaborative work by local artist Josie Charles and her family. This living artwork captures stories of “the good old days on the Three-Ways,” celebrating the lives, memories, and enduring legacy of the families who shaped the mission.
The 2025 Yarruwala Festival was a resounding success — a reflection of what is possible when community, culture, and creative expression come together on Country.
