Dusty Feet Mob: This Story’s True
The Garage International – Dom Polski Centre
Fri 27 Feb, 2026

In the dimly lit hall of the Dom Polski Centre, an intergenerational group of talented dancers brought the oldest living culture into the spotlight with a stunning performance that moved me and many others to tears.

The show began with a warm and witty welcome from director Wanita Calyun whose dedication to her mob is felt deeply with every interaction. The audience was a sea of proud whispers from relatives of the young performers as they moved to centre stage in beautifully woven emu-feather garments and body paint.

What transpired beyond the introduction was an incredible homage to storytelling through music and movement – showcasing the diversity of their culture through three chapters of dance. First, the echoing sound of clapsticks accompanies an ancient series of songlines in motion embracing storytelling and teaching younger ones about culture and country. Goosebumps head-to-toe from the power in this performance!

The second chapter uses the heart-clenching music of celebrated contemporary artists such as Dr. Yunupingu, Paul Kelly and Archie Roach AM combined with dance and re-enactment to express the horror of colonisation and forced assimilation. The most unforgettable segment was a melancholic routine set to the painful Archie Roach anthem Took The Children Away in which three children huddle in despair by a fire after a camp invasion where a baby is torn from her mother’s arms. (Bring tissues)

The third and final chapter is one of hope and reconciliation. The dancers move fluidly to a gorgeous rendition of Amazing Grace from Dr Yunupingu and Paul Kelly and then enter a more upbeat routine to the Yabu Band’s vast improvement on We Are Australian. The respect and euphoria in the room is undeniable as the audience cheers and claps in time.

Despite their immense talent this isn’t just another dance crew boasting unique choreography, Dusty Feet Mob is a community of mentors, artists and elders supporting each other and passing down a cultural legacy of song, dance and storytelling to the younger generations in a space where all are welcome. The experience was a deeply moving and uplifting education.