We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders, Ancestors and leaders of the Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands ILBIJERRI Theatre Company is based.
We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recognising their resilience and ongoing connection to land, water and culture, despite ongoing colonial interruption and genocide.
Always was, always will be, sacred Indigenous land.
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Meet Flo, the unwelcome Aunty everyone complains about, but who we depend on for our very existence.
You would think we’d be proud of this most significant Tidda - keeper of our divine feminine power - but we hide her away and talk about her in whispers, especially later on when she stops turning up altogether. This is her story, or is it?
A hilarious play created by mob for mob, exploring the ups and downs of the most natural stage in every woman’s life - menopause.
The story was developed by Nazaree Dickerson for ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, and was born out of real life experiences of First Nations women.
In 2021, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company commissioned playwright Nazaree Dickerson, to write a play that captured women’s experiences of menopause. Nazaree undertook consultation in her local First Nations community and the broader Victorian community and the story was born out of conversations about this often misunderstood life transition.
The production of GOODBYE AUNTY FLO will integrate the many facets of menopause and the personal stories Nazaree uncovered, which allow for a better understanding of and comfort with this specific stage in life.
Little understood and often underestimated, menopause affects every woman directly and every family member indirectly. The play explores individual experiences and responses and seeks to empower women to make choices that minimise the negative impacts of menopause.
The creative team has been supported by health promotion experts, community health workers, and Community Elders, as well as engaging with Community to explore women’s business in relation to menopause. Two online women’s yarning circles took place, as well as an in-person women’s morning tea, weaving workshop, and creative development. GOODBYE AUNTY FLO team toured to metro and regional Victoria in the second half of 2022, promoting conversation about menopause and the show through women’s events that combine performance and yarning circles, to create engagement for the 2023 tour.
In 2023, GOODBYE AUNTY FLO toured to the following venues:
14 MARCH
KARRALYKA CENTRE
Ringwood
15 MARCH
NAIRM MARR DJAMBANA
Frankston
16 MARCH
CASEY GATHERING PLACE
Doveton
17 MARCH
KIRRIP ABORIGINAL CORP.
Melton South
17 MARCH
MUSIC MARKET,
Collingwood Yards
18 MARCH
ABORIGINAL
ADVANCEMENT LEAGUE
Thornbury
This project is supported by the Victorian Government via the Department of Health
Writer Nazaree Dickerson
Artwork Winyarr's Perfect Imperfection, by Madison Connors of Yarli Creative 2022