For Oz music, this is the best of times – and the worst
While Australian artists are rushing the Grammys, local musicians are fighting to be heard at home.
culture (general)
Pride and shame: national day leaving many conflicted
There are mixed emotions for many about Australia's national day. For some it means celebration, for others mourning and marking the beginning of colonisation.
Astronaut, distance runner win nation’s highest honours
The first astronaut to train under the Australian flag has been honoured with the 2026 Australian of the Year award, with other top achievers also recognised.
Gender imbalance ‘concerning’ as top Aussies honoured
Olympic legend Cathy Freeman has received one of the top gongs at the Order of Australia awards but organisers are calling out a gender imbalance.
Plea for unity as Australia Day highlights divisions
Emotions have run high at competing Australia Day rallies as the prime minister highlighted the role immigrants have played in helping to shape the nation.
Dumped author to consider festival return after apology
A major writers' festival is in damage control as it apologises for dumping a Palestinian-Australian author in a move that triggered a mass boycott.
‘Their career is toast’: writers’ festival anguish
The consequences of cancelling a major literary festival are far-reaching, publishers and writers say, despite a premier declaring there is no economic impact.
How Indigenous culture is enriching preschoolers’ days
Parents and children are learning together at one preschool, which has embedded Indigenous language and culture into each day's events.
Gulpilil’s Journey Home reveals a rich, deep culture
The last wish of a legendary Yolngu film star, a 4000 kilometre journey, and the family who made it all happen are central to a new documentary.
Community healing together as ancestors reburied
As Aboriginal ancestors are reburied at a special memorial park, the Indigenous community says it is time to walk together and heal.
Sculpture by the Sea’s plea to stay afloat after crisis
Funding for the popular Sculpture by the Sea event should be overhauled, its founder says, after there was a scramble for money to run the annual exhibition.
No voice, no change: two years on from referendum
Australia voted no to a national voice to parliament on October 14 2023, but two years on, its advocates say they remain steadfast in their mission for change.
Spears returned to Country point to unbroken connection
The tale of the return of Aboriginal spears to Australian shores after 250 years will help tell a wider story of a community's unbroken connection to Country.
Fire still burning for custodians in fight against mine
A fire has kept burning on a coal mining lease for four years, with cultural custodians celebrating the anniversary with talks, music and ceremony.
Festival started from a broken promise looks to future
The Garma festival was born out of the disappointment of a broken promise; 25 years later, local Yolngu leaders are looking to the future for their people.
Spotlight on youth as sun sets on Garma Festival start
As the sun sets on the first day of a major annual cultural festival, it is the youngest attendees who have stolen the show and been the focus of conversation.
PM lays out economic path to Indigenous empowerment
Traditional owners will be able to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land in a partnership unveiled by the prime minister.
Australia due for ‘massive reckoning’ with its history
Human rights advocates have pointed to the importance of truth-telling despite political leaders opting for "practical measures" in Indigenous affairs.
Distressed community still calling for truth-telling
"How can we embrace our future without acknowledging our past" is the question being posed by the former chair of a scrapped truth-telling inquiry.
This artist wants culture valued beyond NAIDOC Week
As NAIDOC Week celebrates 50 years of "strength, vision and legacy" artists are calling for Indigenous culture to be valued every day of the year.
‘Good medicine’: playgroup brings generational joy
Children, Elders and the parents and caregivers in between are finding joy in an intergenerational playgroup, where stories are shared and language passed down.
Indigenous art fair weaves legacy through every fibre
An Indigenous art fair that began with a small marketplace and a dream now attracts almost 100 artists from across Australia annually.
Vital step toward healing as ancestors returned home
Indigenous custodians have received the remains of ancestors that had been kept in Japanese institutions, in what is considered a vital step towards healing.
Torres Strait woman combining culture and vintage glam
A finalist for one of the biggest pin-up pageants in the country is combining culture and vintage glamour, inspired by the women in her family.
Australians urged to walk together for reconciliation
As Reconciliation Week begins, Australians are encouraged to reflect on the past, look to the future and walk together with First Nations people.
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
In the world's oldest tropical rainforest, traditional owners are sharing their culture and protecting their Country as tourists descend on the region.
Roo-tooth headband among artefacts returned from US
Eleven culturally significant objects are returning to Country after almost a century, ending a "long and emotional journey" to repatriate the artefacts.
‘Missed opportunity’ as sacred sites legislation passes
An authority which safeguards sacred sites has expressed disappointment over the passing of legislation it says it was not properly consulted on.
‘Arrogance’: Indigenous ire at sacred sites amendments
Amendments to sacred site legislation have attracted the ire of traditional owners, who have expressed frustration and alarm with the 'fast-tracked' process.
Indigenous lands to be put on the map in Australia
Aboriginal place names, protected lands and reserves will be shown on mapping, weather and other apps in Australia as the result of a four-year project.
How listening to Country can lead to better design
Designed to represent the bends of the Baaka (Darling) River, it is hoped this cultural centre will help inspire the next generation of architects.