Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Explore powerful stories at the intersection of history, culture, and music—from Aboriginal cricket pioneers and war heroes to legendary albums by Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Gurrumul. This blog dives deep into First Nations resilience, iconic protest music, and untold truths that shaped Australia and the world. Engaging, thoughtful, and unapologetically real—where powerful voices from the past meet today's social conversation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this page contains images and names of deceased persons.

Music Spotlight: Nabarlek Band, Munwurrk (1999)

Hailing from the Northern Territory, Nabarlek emerged from the community of Maningrida in Arnhem Land, bringing together traditional cultural influences with the energy of contemporary rock. Their debut album Munwurrk, meaning “Bushfire” became an important early recording in the story of Indigenous Australian rock. The title track, ‘Munwurrk’, captures much of what made the band distinctive. Guitar-driven rock meets the rhythms, language and cultural identity of Arnhem Land,

Groote Broadcasting

2 days ago1 min read

Kardajala Kirridarra — Kardajala Kirridarra (2017)

Released in July 2017, Kardajala Kirridarra introduced the world to an extraordinary collaboration of Mudburra women from Marlinja and Kulumindini in the Northern Territory, joined by Melbourne-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Beatrice Lewis. The name translates roughly as “Sandhill Women”, referring to a mysterious bush woman from the sandhills behind Marlinja whose descendants are part of the group’s story. Musically, the album occupies a fascinating space between a

Groote Broadcasting

Sep 262 min read

Deborah Mailman: A Career That Changed Australian Television.

From a young actor growing up in Mount Isa to one of Australia's most respected performers, Deborah Mailman has spent more than three decades helping change the way Aboriginal people and stories are seen on Australian screens. And now, she's made history. At the 2026 TV WEEK Logie Awards, Mailman became the first Indigenous person inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame—an extraordinary honour and one that was a long time coming. She is also only the sixth woman to receive the

Groote Broadcasting

Sep 112 min read

Alexis Wright: Writing from an unshakeable Waanyi worldview.

Alexis Wright is a member of the Waanyi nation, from the southern highlands of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Born in Cloncurry in 1950, she grew up to become not just one of Australia's finest writers, but arguably one of the most important literary voices this continent has ever produced. And that's not us being generous. Before the novels, there was the activism. Wright worked for decades across Aboriginal organisations and campaigns...on land rights, on mining, on community. Th

Groote Broadcasting

Sep 12 min read

Little J & Big Cuz.

What do you get when you mix two cheeky cousins, a wise Nanna, a mischievous dog and plenty of imagination? Little J & Big Cuz! The much-loved Australian animated series follows Little J and his older cousin Big Cuz as they navigate school, family, friendship and life in their Aboriginal community. Along the way, they learn about culture, Country, language, history and the importance of listening to their Elders—but the clever part is that it never feels like a lesson. It's f

Groote Broadcasting

Aug 281 min read

“Black Boy” by Coloured Stone.

Released in the early 1980s, the track helped bring the voice of Aboriginal Australia into the mainstream through the infectious sound of one of the country's pioneering Indigenous rock bands. Led by Bunna Lawrie, Coloured Stone brought together rock, reggae, pop and traditional Indigenous influences, creating a sound that was unmistakably Australian — but unlike anything else on the radio at the time. “Black Boy” has an irresistible groove, but underneath the rhythm is somet

Groote Broadcasting

Aug 211 min read

Album Spotlight: Christine Anu — Waku – Minaral A Minalay.

After two decades without a new album of original material, Christine Anu returned with something far more meaningful than a comeback record. Waku – Minaral A Minalay is a beautiful journey into family, Country, language and memory, drawing heavily on songs passed down from Anu’s grandfather, Saibai Island songman Nadi Anu. Working with longtime collaborator David Bridie, Anu blends traditional Torres Strait Islander music with contemporary production, creating something that

Groote Broadcasting

Aug 81 min read

Our closing story for Blak History Month: Amethea Mamarika.

Amethea Mamarika is one of the leading voices on Groote Eylandt, combining a passion for community, language and culture with a remarkable career in broadcasting. A proud member of the Mamarika Clan—one of the 14 major clan groups of Groote Eylandt—Amethea joined Groote Broadcasting's Anindilyakwa Radio in 2019. Her natural leadership, commitment to community and exceptional broadcasting skills quickly saw her rise through the ranks, and in April 2021 she was appointed Statio

Groote Broadcasting

Jul 312 min read

Blak History Month: The Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir. Voices That Carry Culture Across Generations.

Music has always been a powerful way to share stories, preserve culture and bring people together. Few groups embody that spirit more beautifully than the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir. Made up of women from remote communities across Central Australia, the choir is unlike any other. Their performances blend centuries-old Lutheran hymns with the rich sounds of Aboriginal languages including Arrarnta and Pitjantjatjara, creating a musical tradition that is both de

Groote Broadcasting

Jul 112 min read

Blak History Month: Warumpi Band; The Sound of a New Australia.

Before Indigenous music was regularly heard on mainstream radio, four young men from the remote community of Papunya were quietly changing Australian music forever. Formed in 1980, Warumpi Band became one of the country's first Aboriginal rock bands to achieve national recognition. Their music blended infectious rock rhythms with stories of Country, family and identity, creating a sound that was unmistakably Australian. What made Warumpi Band truly groundbreaking was their fe

Groote Broadcasting

Jul 42 min read

Blak History Month: The hidden history of Aboriginal stockmen and stockwomen.

This is a story that doesn't get told nearly enough — the hidden history of Aboriginal stockmen and stockwomen, and the back-breaking, brilliant, largely unacknowledged role they played in shaping rural Australia as we know it. From the earliest days of European pastoral expansion, Aboriginal people didn't just work the land — they made the industry possible. Station owners conceded they could not survive without Aboriginal knowledge and labour — pastoralists were even willin

Groote Broadcasting

Jul 33 min read

Blak History Month 2026.

This July 2026, we celebrate Blak History Month — a powerful time to honour the strength, survival, and sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s more than a look back — it’s a spotlight on the truth, brilliance, and resistance that continues to shape this country. Blak History Month is about truth-telling — unfiltered, unapologetic, and proud. This is a time to remember our warriors, our artists, our trailblazers. A time to reflect on injustices, cel

Groote Broadcasting

Jul 11 min read