Be Part Of The Solution & Help Boomerang Festival Reach Its Crowdfunding Goal

The fledgling Byron Bay-based Indigenous arts & culture event, Boomerang Festival, has just over a fortnight to go on its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, and needs community support now more than ever to ensure that it goes ahead.

The event — which held its inaugural iteration in 2013 — has garnered the support of several high-profile members of the Australian creative community, including renowned musicians such as Paul Kelly, Archie Roach and David Bridie, as well as Moana Maniapoto of Moana & The Tribe and ex-Amity Affliction guitarist Troy Brady, in addition to actors Meyne Watt and Rarriwuy Hick, and models Teresa Oman and Sarah Marland; even Byron mayor Simon Richardson has publicly backed the event.

Despite the significant support behind the festival, 2016's event has only garnered a shade over $3500 towards its ultimate goal of $100,000. With a fortnight to go until the campaign ends, it's become more important than ever for average punters to make it their business to be a part of the solution and throw whatever weight they can behind the event before a festival landscape already marred by the loss of several significant events in recent months is made even more barren by the absence of Boomerang too.

The potential importance of Boomerang Festival cannot be understated; the festival's primary aim is brokering authentic reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through shared cultural exchange. However, following its successful first event in 2013, arts and Indigenous program cuts meant that Boomerang could not move ahead as a standalone festival.

Although the good people at Byron Bay Bluesfest stepped up to create a specific precinct for Boomerang program events, organisers are nonetheless hopeful they will once again be able to hold the festivities independently, on Bundjalung country.

"The time is now to lead the imperative shift in the Australian narrative," organisers wrote in a statement. "Reconciliation is the responsibility of all Australians. So we are asking the progressive, forward-thinking leaders and members of our community to support us in our mission to make the NSW Northern Rivers leaders in this positive change for all Australians."

Watch a selection of videos of support below, then get to Indiegogo (or social media, if you have deep-pocketed friends with a conscience) and help Australia's festival landscape actually gain something for a change, if you're able.

Don't forget, there are heaps of perks up for grabs to sweeten the pot (as if helping to ensure the survival of a culturally significant event wasn't sweet enough), including GA and VIP tickets to this year's Bluesfest event, as well as myriad other cultural gifts and experiences from Bluesfest, Arakwal Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Good Food Guide, The Farm, The Three Blue Ducks, Virgin Australia, Common Ground Byron Bay. Harvest Cafe, Clayton Donavon & The Jaaning Tree, The Byron @ Byron Resort & Spa, and The Music, in exchange for a donation.