Dancin for health

Launcing NAIDOC for Wynnum area Health Services...


Jahleesha, Kevin, Mundanara, Garland, Kasai, Tiga, Reilly, Mathew, Patrick and Kaiyu joined staff and community members to celebrate NAIDOC.  Today was a special performance for mob from Straddie as some of the families from Straddie work or support Health Initiatives and this was a good day to share with them some fun through dance.


From all the dancers thank you Sylvan and all the organisers for inviting us to take part in the days activities and to Kupmurri Delights for a deadly feed.

The Premier begins NAIDOC week with a bang

Our Kids danced in the big smoke in  George street at the Government offices 
and danced their hearts out. What a big trip, from the ferry, to the bus and back 
again all 18 kids, Patty n Kaiyu.  All the older ones did a good job of helping
 with the younger ones. They know their stuff and had heaps of fun dancing, 
had a big feed of crocodile, kangaroo and bush tucker, than had fun some more.  
Thank you to all who helped make this day a deadly one to remember for all of us.

NAIDOC opens for 2010 in Brisbane

Last Sunday we rose early to get to musgrave Park for the official opening of BBrisbane's Celebrations.  What a deadly day it was too.  Nunka was with us, Kimmy, Matty, Patty, Tiga, Reilly, Kaiyu and Rosie all danced.  Patty n Nunka did a smoking ceromony for the elders and there were speakers toaking about how NAIDOC began and who was involved.  Another uncle spoke about how we need to be part of the grass roots, low key events around town as well as the Big days like Family Day.  And questioned appointed leaders in the lime light as they are always absent from these events.  Hhhhhhmmmmm....... Something for us all to think about hey.  Their was a feed from Kupmurri delights and it was good to be with mob on the mainland again.

Yullu Burri Ba is coming to an event near you

Gig # Date Time/Duration                   Group                                Address of event
1  4/710 11am for 15 mins Culture Centre                Musgrave Park
2 5/7/10 1pm for 8 mins         Government       George Street, Brisbane City
3 6/7/10 12pm for 20 mins Health                       Wynnum
4 6/7/10 5pm for 15 mins QUT
5 7/7/10                         Cleveland Library
6 8/7/10 11am for 20 mins Qld Art Gallery        South Brisbane
7 9/7/10 10 am all day         Family Fun Day        Musgrave Park
 8 14/7/10 9.30 for 15 minsx2 Capalaba State School    School Road Capalaba

 9  16/7/10 9.30 for 15 minsx2 Redland Bay State School

10 16/7/10 10am for 20 mins Dunwich State High School Dunwich

11 16/7/10                         Capalaba College

Photos from the whale welcoming

All of the mob at Adder Rock, Freezin.

Keep an eye Out

Bayside Bulletin were over to talk to the dancers and take photo's for their story.  A few dancers braved the cold and painted up.  Can't wait to see the photo's soon.

Raymond Boy came up for a game of footy before the photo's and Alfred. Kathy, Exavier, Leanne and Sienna come along too. Again the dancers turned up on time and ready for action. Remona, Jeleisha, Helen, Kyalla, Amanda, Namulli, Nunanya, Eugene, Tiga and Reilly all danced and posed up for them camera's.

Thanks for the time to come and find out more about our people and our beautiful island home.  We'll all be getting a copy of the next issue.

Welcome Big whales

Thank you to all the organisers of the annual Lantern parade and whale welcoming at Adder Rock for our opportunity to come and be a part of a special time for us all on the island and along the coasts.

Dancing up the storm on Saturday 26th July was good fun... to watch, it would have been more fun up there.  All the dancers were so confident and happy.  They made us all proud, thanks to Josh for making the day one to remember with his Songs.

With at least 30 of us on the bus, the dancers were Jeleisha, Remona, Guyanna, Helen, Gavin, Valley, Amanda, Kyalla, Mirakai, Kevin, Reilly, Tiga, Tamirakai, Patrick, Jedda, Learna, Yulu, Huny, Sila, Shara Jeneequa, Eugene and Emit on Didge.

Deadly to see everyone dancing so deadly and knowing the song and dance!

Deadly Sports Expo Just Got Deadlier

On Monday 21st June we traveled over to Capalaba College to open their big sports day.  There were Olympians, Australian and state reps and professional sporting stars.

There were a few schools there from around the area and we hope to see Dunwich going over again next year.

On Didge was Matty, backing him up dancing ws lil brother Kutta, Tiga, Reilly, Tu-wai, Ngirri, Maretta, Kim and Kaiyu; Patty sang.

The kids are getting there confidence up and good to see some old faces getting involved again.

Little big stars

On Friday night we rocked the local bowls club at the Point, for a womens gathering and of course the little fulla's stole the show.  


With Jahlow on didge, Patty singing, Maretta, Morgan, Jared, Jedda, Tiga, Reilly, Tu-Wai, Ngirri n me dancing, it was a mad gig.  Good to see Paulie's kids up there together and even the grand kids, the old people would have been smiling down.  After a big break of not playing, Jahlow didn't skip a beat and played like he hadn't stopped.  Everyone should be proud and I'm sure we're all happy to be part of a deadly group to dance with after not dancing for so long.  


We danced for a private function and it felt good to sit down and enjoy a meal together afterwards.  It was an interesting experience, beginning when we were getting ready, can't wait for our next opportunity....


Too deadly!!!!

Our First Wadamah

What a deadly one it was too for our first time together.  All the little people were so deadly!  


On Sunday 16th May we performed at the Southern Cross Catholic College in Scarbourogh.  Some of us were leaving the island on the 7am barge just to get there and some of the younger ones were having trouble sleeping from the excitement.


Tiga and Reilly know we can do it "We've done it mum" they said on our way home.  Yep, we've taken the first steps boys.  Believe in ourselves and the worlds our oyster - qwampi lol.


Thank you Raymond (Nunka) for the beautiful job you did singing and talking through the dance meanings etc.  The way you begun was something I always wanted to see and seldom do, we have to acknowledge the almighty ones first.  Too deadly you are, but you know that.


Mara and lil bub in belly joined in and made it that bit more extra special and we are grateful, thank you also for driving out, bringing with you Garlan, Nunka, Meika, Nyarri and Casia.  Thank you supporters!


Big thanks to Tuwai n Ngirri for putting in there all and loving their dance.  And to Nan Corin for helping them to get their.  We hope you got back to the fair in time and had a deadly day all together.


Tiga was pumped for weeks and excited all the way to the stage, he makes his mum so proud, good example for brothers coming through.  Always dancing, always loving it, he don't ever stop.  Reilly was able to help the other younger fulla's pick up the dancers and we thought it was deadly for him to show such leadership.  Too deadly Reilly, looking after mob!


Patrick you always dance beautifully (and of course I'm going to say that, chuckle), you explain what needs to be done with such patience and the way you get the boys ready to dance is really something.  Thank you for your huge contributions to getting this group to where it is.


Photo's coming soon, stay posted for details of our next event.

“Revitilising Our Culture”

Appearing at schools, community events, special occasions, opening ceremonies, private functions and festivals.


Traditional dance, didgeridoo performance, workshops, tours and traditional dance supplies.

Mulula Tabil ban Dancers Of Minjerribah

(Sand and the Sea of North Stradbroke Island)

Dreaming Statement: Through connecting up for the land and culture, we play an active role in organising gatherings to encourage greater community involvement, passing on traditional song, dance, stories and providing the time and place to connect back with nature once more.  We believe in being consciously responsible and aim for the concept of “thriving” in our lifetime.




Malula Tabil ban is about representing our people, land and culture with the honour, integrity and the respect it is definitely worthy of.  Through a team focus we will share our journey’s and support each other achieve our potential.  Our culture is a huge gift to us all, one we look forward to sharing with the world.  

The group is made up of men, women and children and can facilitate on going school workshops to develop dances to perform at a school event.   An all male didgeridoo workshop is available also. The group are mostly relatives or members who have a close connection to the Island.  Ranging in ages from 1 to 50, with different experience levels and styles.  Some have been dancing for a little and some have danced since they were big enough too.  Check out our website to find out more on our dancers.

By performing dances from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island Qld Australia), facilitating workshops and by being involved in environmental/conservation efforts, we educate whilst having fun and engaging with the audience.  Appearing at schools, community events, special occasions, opening ceremonies, private functions and festivals.  Soon we hope to provide full time positions for dancers/ land care and conservationist roles in our community as well as organising language revitilisation, story telling, gathering and hunting, artistic expression, enterprise for self sufficiency and touring.

We have just began by clearing the site of one of our dance grounds and are preparing to come together more often for fun, learning, sharing and to perform.  To get involved as a volunteer or dancer please contact us.

Orders taken for dance wear, to organise all other bookings/purchases please contact Patrick Coolwell - 0437 454 628, pattycools@live.com.au 

The dancers and dances

The dances we perform tell stories of our conectedness to the land, the intricate genius systems and knowledge that goes with that and our way of life now and before invasion.

We use the paint up’s of this area and for paint we still prepare our traditional ochre when available.

The group is made up of men, women and children and can facilitate on going school workshops to develop dances to perform at a school event. All the dancer’s either lived, are from or have a close connection to the Island and the group are mostly relatives.  Ranging in ages from 1 to 50, from different experience levels and styles.  Some have been dancing for a little and some have danced since they were big enough too.  Take a look at the profiles of our deadly dancers to find out more about us.

Patrick Coolwell- dancer and songman.  A younger member of the Nunukul tribe of North Stradbroke Island and Munanjali tribe, from the Beaudesert region,  was raised in his home country and grew up dancing with groups made up mainly of family from the Island.  Whilst dancing, he travelled internationally to Greece, Taiwan and Korea.  Patrick has permission to sing and pass on the Nunukul songs and dances.  Recently returning from living and experiencing life on the Tweed, he is happy to back on country and is ready to get his hands dirty.  Being from a large family, Patrick enjoys working with children, sharing culture is something that comes naturally and he loves it.  With his fair share of adversity throughout his young life, Patrick is determined to work towards better times, especially for our younger people.  In the future Patrick would like to see more kids happy, spending time on country, learning, dancing, looking after each other and their land.  After completing a certificate II in Conservation and Land Care, Patrick hopes to further these studies and provide more realistic viable career choices for our young ones wanting to stay in their communities or pursue cultural interests as opposed to mainstream career choices.  Patrick is the 5th child of 11 and is also a Jared‘s.  He is the grandson of Florrie and Ted Ruska, son of Paul Coolwell and Kerryn Smith.


We ask for your patience while the dancers complete the profile information.






















Jared Coolwell - To be filled asap

Maretta Coolwell - To be filled asap

Jedda Coolwell -To be filled asap

Morgan Green - To be filled asap

Tiga Bayles Jnr - First danced at the age of 3 and has never looked back.  Tiga enjoys dancing more than anything else because it makes him happy.  When he takes his place in the community he wants to be involved in culture.  Tiga is a descendant of the Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka, Wonarua and Bundjalung clan.  His Great great grandmother’s are Linda Livingstone, Edna Bayles, Cecilia Smith, Great Grandfather - Sam Watson,  Great grannies - Maureen Watson, Gloria Bell and Patricia Miller. Great Grand father - Stan Smith  Grandmother’s  - Katherine Reilly and Deborah Smith, Grandfather - Tiga Bayles Senior.  Tiga has spent a few years in Brisbane, Tweed Heads and now Stradbroke Island.  He loves to swim at the beach, ride his motorbike, go hunting, fishing on the boat and play sports.

Reilly Bayles - A lively dancer who first came on stage when he was in nappies.  If there’s a chance to shake them legs - Reilly’s there in a hurry. When he’s not dancing Reilly loves to play footy, sand boarding or swimming is a descendant of the Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka, Wonarua and Bundjalung clans.  His Great great grandmother’s are  Linda Livingstone, Edna Bayles, Cecilia Smith, Great Grandfather - Sam Watson,  Great grannies - Maureen Watson,  Gloria Bell and Patricia Miller. Great Grand father - Stan Smith  Grandmother’s  - Katherine Reilly and Deborah Smith, Grandfather - Tiga Bayles Senior. Reilly has spent a few years in Brisbane, Tweed Heads and now lives on Stradbroke Island.



Jandarcan Gringai - The youngest member of the group at only 8 months old.  LOOKOUT WHEN HE STARTS WALKING….

We have just began by clearing the site of our old bora ground and are preparing to come together more often for fun, learning, sharing and to perform.


Aims -
By performing dances from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island Qld Australia), facilitating workshops and by being involved in environmental/conservation efforts, we educate whilst having fun and engaging with the audience.  Appearing at schools, community events, special occasions, opening ceremonies, private functions and festivals.  Soon we hope to provide full time positions for dancers/ land care and conservationist roles in our community as well as organising language revitilisation, story telling, gathering and hunting, artistic expression, enterprise for self sufficiency and touring.