About the Event
In 2026, we acknowledge 200 years since Albany became the first town established in Western Australia — but our story goes back tens of thousands of years. First Lights Kinjarling will bring those deep-time stories into the skies, using cutting-edge drone technology to illuminate ancient narratives shared by Menang Elders.
Over three consecutive nights, the night sky above Albany will come alive with light, sound, and voice. Each show will tell a unique Menang story, blending culture, history, and landscape with state-of-the-art drone choreography.
By day, audiences are invited to join guided walking and story tours with Menang Elders across several significant locations. These tours offer a rare opportunity to hear ancient stories on Country, deepening understanding of place, culture, and connection before the evening performances.
Together, they reveal Albany as a place of deep cultural significance, resilience, and connection.
- Borongur (Porongurups) – Told through the voices of Vernice Gillies and Larry Blight with Cass Lynch, this story explores the Porongurup mountain range as a place of totems and rain, alive with Gondwanan species and ancient songs. Through the eyes of a granite peak, a trapdoor spider, and the moon, the story reflects on time, home-building, and the endurance of culture.
- Mamang Koort (Frenchman’s Bay) – Written by Kim Scott and Iris Woods with Olivia Roberts, this story draws from the Creation Story of the whale, weaving together ocean voyages, colonial encounters, and Noongar songlines. It revisits a moment of rare connection in the earliest years of settlement, opening space for reflection and hope in 2026.
- Kaawar – Koi Kyenunu-Ruff (Stirling Ranges) – Inspired by Averil and Lindsay Dean with Kim Scott, this show brings one of the great Creation Stories of the Stirling Ranges to life, offering alternative perspectives on these ancient peaks and their enduring spiritual significance.
First Lights Kinjarling is more than a spectacle — it is a storytelling tool. Each light show is narrated by Menang Elders and shaped by the custodians of these stories. By bringing ancient narratives into a contemporary medium, this event invites all of us to reflect on Albany’s past 200 years, while grounding ourselves in stories that stretch back far longer.
This landmark event embodies what Albany 2026 is about: honouring Menang Noongar culture, deepening understanding, and creating shared moments of wonder. It is a powerful reminder that this bicentenary is not only about marking history — it is about listening to the stories that have always been here and carrying them into our future together.