Djirri Djirri

Mandy is the founder, singer and songwriter of Djirri Djirri. She has been part of other mixed dance groups for over 20 years, and formed Djirri Djirri in 2013 with members of her family. Mandy is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Mandy's Spirit Protector is Gawarn the echidna. Photo credit: Charendev Singh

Dharna is Mandy's daughter and also one of our lead dancers. She has been part of Djirri Djirri since conception in 2013, after being part of other dance groups since she was 3. Dharna is Wurundjeri, Yorta Yorta , Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Dharna's Spirit Protector is Bundabun the long necked turtle.

Ky-ya is also Mandy's daughter and another one of our lead dancers. She has been dancing since she was 3. Ky-ya also helps create the dance moves with her sister Dharna, but also sings and composes some of the Djirri Djirri songs. Ky-ya is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Ky-ya's Spirit Protector is Walert the possum.

Stacie has been dancing since she was 10 years old, and joined Djirri Djirri in 2017 and helps with creating new dances. She also takes the lead by explaining all the cultural elements of dances and attire. Stacie is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, and Ngurai illum wurrung. Stacie's Spirit Protector  is Dandan the rainbow lorikeet.

Sue-Anne has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2017.  She supports her daughter Jedda, by dancing with her. Sue-Anne also takes the lead and speaks about the healing involved in cultural dance. Sue-Anne is Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung. Sue-Anne's Spirit Protector is Dulum the black duck. Photo James Henry

Sam has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2017. She supports her 3 daughters, Bella, Laila and Azalea to be immersed in culture. Sam is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Sam's Spirit Protector is Marram the kangaroo. 

Mikayla has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2017. She is also a mentor, and  one of the leaders who run our dance workshops. Mikayla is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Mikayla's Spirit Protector is Gunuwarra the black swan. Photo Benny Clarke

Kiera has been dancing with Djirri Djirri  since 2017. She is a leader and mentor for the younger dancers. She also leads cultural and dance workshops. Kiera is Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung. Kiera's Spirit Protector is Ngawanj the sun. Photo Benny Clarke

Hailey has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2017. She is an up and coming mentor and also holds her cultural pride high. Hailey is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Hailey's Spirit Protector  is Wurru wurru the sky. Photo Benny Clarke

Nanjera has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since she was 4. She is one of the original members of Djirri Djirri. She always dances with pride and now dances with a possum skin belt she gained by going through the Murrum Turrukuruk Ceremony (Coming of Age). Nanjera is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunnai. Nanjera's Spirit Protector is the Kingfisher and her name means the fresh water mussel.

One of our little  Djirri Djirri's, Fenna has been dancing with us since she was 2 along with her mum Stacie. She is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunditjmara. Her Spirit Protectors are Muk Muk the Mopoke and the Black Cockatoo. She went through her first ceremony when she was 1 year old.

One of our Yinga Guyup Guyup (Song Birds), Djirra has been dancing with us since she was 3, along with her sister Nanjera. She not only dances but sings with her Aunty Mandy and cousins Jedda and Laila. She is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung and Gunnai. Her Spirit Protectors are Ngarrert the frog and Balam Balam the butterfly

Another little Djirri Djirri, Azalea has been dancing since she was a babe in arms. She dances along with her 2 sisters and mum. She is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Azalea will be receiving her Spirit Protector at the next ceremony.

Tiyawi has danced before he was born in mums tummy. Once born he danced for the first time in his mums arms at 2 months old. Tiyawi is Wurundjeri, Gunditjmara, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung, Yorta Yorta, Gunggari and Ngarrindjerri. Tiyawi's Spirit Protector is Gurrng Gurrng the Kookaburra and the Goanna. His name means goanna in Ngarrindjerri. 

Another Yinga Guyup Guyup (Song Bird) Jedda has been dancing and singing with us since she was 8 years old. She helps her Aunty Mandy sing all of our songs in Woiwurrung and is a Wurundjeri, Ngurai illam wurrung and Kalkadoon. Jedda's Spirit Protector is Dulai wurrung the Platypus.

Jedda (left), was the first to sing with Mandy, Laila (centre) and Djirra (right) followed. Now they are our three 'wayibu yinga guyup-guyup' (little song birds). All now are teenagers, still standing proud in their culture with all three having gone through Murrum Turrukurruk ceremony.

Bella has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since 2017. She is a very passionate dancer and is a future leader. Bella is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Bella's Spirit Protector  is Djirri Djirri the Willy Wagtail.

Jordy loves dancing with his fam, he's been dancing since he was 4 months old. Jordy is Wurundjeri, Ngurai illum wurrung, Dja Dja wurrung, Gunnai and others on his mother's side. His Spirit Protector is Gurrborra the Koala.

Teena has been dancing with Djirri Djirri for several years. Teena is Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Gunai/Kurnai. Her Spirit Protectors are the Long Neck Turtle, Yellow Tail Black Cockatoo, Blue Wren, Musk Duck and Pelican.

Tiannah has been dancing with Djirri Djirri with her mum Teena for several years. She dances along with her mum Teena and two little brothers. She mentors the little dancers  and always steps up when asked. Her Spirit Protectors are the Long Neck Turtle, Yellow Tail Black Cockatoo, Blue Wren, Musk Duck and Pelican.

Ryder has been dancing with Djirri Djirri since he was a bubup. He loves to dance as Bunjil and always makes everyone smile with his deadly moves flying between all the girls. Ryder's Spirit Protectors are Her Spirit Protectors are the Long Neck Turtle, Yellow Tail Black Cockatoo, Emu Wren, Musk Duck and Pelican.

Little Naiyira has been dancing while she was still in mum Dharna's tummy. Naiyira is  Wurundjeri, Gunditjmara, Dja Dja wurrung, Ngurai illum wurrung, Yorta Yorta, Gunggari and Ngarrindjerri. Naiyira's Spirit Protector is Balam Balam the butterfly.

Kathleen has been dancing for many years and with Djirri Djirri for the past several years. Kath is Mutthi Mutthi, Tati Tati, Yittha Yittha, Wadi Wadi, Wemba Wemba, Barapa Barapa, Dja Dja wurrung, Waywurru, Ngurai illum wurrung, Wurundjeri, Gunai/Kurnai and Bidawal. Her Spirit Protector on her mothers side is Padangal the Pelican.

Lynette has been dancing with Djirri Djirri for  many years with her two daughters Mikayla and Hailey. Lynette is Palawa. She is also the Bookings Manager for Djirri Djirri and Leader in Indigenous Curriculum as a teacher at her school.

Zuzu has been dancing with Djirri Djirri for around a year. She loves dancing to any music but loves dancing with Djirri Djirri. Zuzu is Gunai/Kurnai. Her Spirit Protectors are the Currawong and Blue Wren.

Annie Borate is Berak's (William Barak's) sister. All Wurundjeri descend from her, so all of our dancers are family!