OUR TEAM
Gawura Cultural Immersions is about all facets of Aboriginal education and cultural experience. Our expert First Nations facilitators, educators and performers posses the knowledge and experience to guide any organisation on their cultural journey. Our team can facilitate cultural humility training, Traditional dance performance and multiple levels of First Nations educational workshops. We aim to provide deep spiritual experiences for individuals, families, communities and organisations. We look forward to walking with you on your cultural journey.
Kiara Malcolm Bodle- Principal Dancer & Lead Cultural Facilitator
Stuart is a cultural Man from the Dharug and Gubbi Gubbi Nations. Stuart has been professionally performing cultural dance for 17years. Stuart is not just a performer he is a cultural educator whose experience is vast and spans across many disciplines. Stuart has formal qualifications in frontline management, clinical supervision & a Post Graduated Diploma in Professional Practice.
Stuart Facilitates cultural workshops for all organisations from corporate to non- government. Stuarts cultural knowledge has been obtained over many years and has a wonderful ability to translate his cultural lens in a way that invites others in to share in a culture that has thrived for 120,000 years.
Kiara Malcolm- Bodle and my song line begins from the rural town of Broome WA, Yawuru country. It travels all the way to Darkinjung country in NSW at 17 years old where I studied and graduated (2019) my four year Dance Diploma at NAISDA Dance College.
I have worked with/ taken part in secondments and choreographic labs around Australia with places such as Bangarra Dance Theatre, Legs On The Wall, NT Dance Company, Lucy Guerin, Sydney Dance Company, Marrugeku and KARUL Projects (Australian Based) and have also been privileged to be involved with works in Canada at the Banff Centre for Create Arts as well as travelling to New Zealand in order to connect to my Maori roots whilst spending time with Atamira Dance Company.
The past year I have been teaching/ working as an independent artist, taking part in Karul Projects World Premiere of ‘Silence’ and have begun seeding my own choreographic work.
Stuart McMinn
Owner, Lead Cultural Facilitator
Gerard McMinn
Principal Dancer & Cultural Facilitator
Gerard is a cultural Man from the Dharug and Gubbi Gubbi Nations. Gerard has been professionally performing cultural dance for 17 years. During this time Gerard has performed on national and international platforms. Undertaking overseas tours and performing at the highest level.
Gerard has worked in the Education sector for many years educating young people about culture and strengthening their identity. Gerard has a passion for cultural education of young people. He believes that affirmation of identity in young people leads to strong well rounded individuals. Gerards expertise and knowledge is a foundational core of his identity and cultural strength.
Rheese McMinn
Principal Dancer & Cultural Facilitator
Rheese is a Dharug and Gubbi Gubbi man, Rheese has been performing with Gawura since he was three. Having grown up in and around cultural performance and facilitation, Rheese has developed a deep understanding of cultural practice.
Rheese has many performance achievements from dancing at major football test matches to performing overseas to name a few, however Rheese's major passion is working with youth and sharing with them the cultural frameworks he has come to know so well and that shaped his upbringing.
Keanah Scholes Principal Dancer & Cultural Facilitator
Keanah is a woman from the Gumbaynggir, Bundjulung & Dungutti Nations. Keanah has been performing traditional dance since she left school and studied a Certificate III in dance at NAISDA. The National Aboriginal & Islander Skills Development Association.
In 2017 Keanah worked as a Teaching Artist for the Songroom teaching Aboriginal Song, Dance, Arts & Crafts. Keanah also has worked as an Aboriginal Education Worker and understands the importance of embedding culture into school curriculum. Keanah loves traditional dance and feels its a great way to stay connected to the cultural practice of her ancestors.
Justine Villers
Principal Dancer & Cultural Facilitator
Justine is a proud Wiradjuri woman raised and living on the Central Coast. Justine is currently finishing her Diploma in Torres Strait Islands and Aboriginal Dance at NAISDA Dance College. Justine has previously taught as a general and cultural dance Coordinator at Gudjagang ngara li-dhi, and several primary schools across the Central Coast. Justine has performed for the International Children's Games , Harvest Rain theatre productions, performance based dance companies and taken part in cultural corroborees.
Justine is a principal dancer and teacher for Gawura and she possesses great choreographic and dance performance skills. Her hope is to move into the professional dance space moving onto larger stage productions, and choreographing further works.
Rhiley McMinn
Principal Dancer
Rhiley McMinn
Principal Dancer
Rhiley is a Darug and Gubbi Gubbi man, Rhiley has been performing with Gawura since he was a baby, undertaking his first overseas tour at the age of three. Rhiley has many performance achievements including overseas tours and performances for major sporting events.
Rhiley is currently studying at school and is building the educational foundations he needs for his life. Rhiley utilises the knowledge he obtains from his cultural background to inform his life choices. Rhileys ability to connect with people of his age and younger enables him to build good connections and develop the cultural capacity of the people around him.
Chandler Connell
Principal Dancer & Cultural Facilitator
Bio coming shortly
Brianna Kemmerling - Lead Cultural Facilitator
Bio coming shortly.
Djirri Desmond
Principal Dancer
Bio coming shortly.