Burragubba

Adrian Burragubba is an Aboriginal Australian musician skilled in didgeridoo particularly known for his 26 years busking in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall[1] and the past 13 years in the Gold Coast's Cavil Mall. He is also known for having stood for Queensland parliament in 2004 seeking full reimbursement of past Aboriginal wages 'stolen' by the Queensland Government.[1] He also made the news when he was the victim of an apparently racially motivated attack while performing.[2]

Musical career

His musical performances combine traditional Aboriginal dress and body painting with instruments including an unkeyed didgeridoo and clapsticks. Renowned for his busking,[1] Adrian has been a notable figure in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall for the past 26 years and for 13 years in Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise.

He has performed at venues for the Brisbane Lord Mayor's office, the Queensland Premier's Department, and at other events requiring a "traditional" Aboriginal presence.[3]

He has released two musical compilations, Didj In Us (2001) and Didj a Tale (2007), as well as a "Beginners Guide to Playing Didjeridoo" (2008).

His musical career is supported by speeches and school performances explaining Aboriginal Australian culture and history.[4] International performances include appearances promoting Aboriginal Australian culture in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Political activism

Burragubba is an activist for the reimbursement of Aboriginal Australians for unpaid work performed for governments in the early days of white settlement in Australia. In 2004 he stood for the Queensland parliament against Premier Peter Beattie, arguing that the Government's offer of $4,000 reimbursement for each worker was insulting to his people.[1] He attracted 310 primary votes.[5]

A hunger strike was threatened to highlight the need for Aboriginal culture to be recognised in Brisbane.[6]

Personal life

Burragubba is from the Babinburra Clan of the Wangan people of the Wiirdi language group of Central Queensland.

He was born in Brisbane and is recognised by the traditional owners as having historical connection.

See also
  • Indigenous Australian music

References
  1. "Indigenous candidate challenges Beattie". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 January 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  2. Jabour, Bridie (23 June 2008). "Popular Surfers busker attacked". Goldcoast. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  3. "Murri@H'art: our art, our way, ourselves". National Indigenous Times. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  4. "Burragubba". Rochedale State School. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  5. "2004 State General Election - Brisbane Central - District Summary". Electoral Commission Queensland. 25 February 2004. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
  6. "Qld: Hunger strike to highlight Aboriginal culture". AAP. Australian Associated Press. 3 January 2004. Retrieved 22 September 2008.
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