Dust Up 2026: Creativity, Connection and Reciprocity in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands
The journey to the 2026 Dust Up Festival has once again taken our Clown Doctors deep into the heart of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, where laughter, creativity and connection have been shared across schools and communities.
A Journey Across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands
Over two weeks, Dr Fizzy Whizzy, Dr Goose, Dr Bananas and Dust Up guest Clown Doctor Dr Nyorn travelled between remote Ngaanyatjarra Lands School campuses, delivering workshops filled with storytelling, circus skills, drama games, music and imaginative play.
Beginning in Milyirrtjarra (Warburton) and continuing through communities including Warnan, Mantamaru (Jameson), Papulankutja (Blackstone), Irrunytju (Wingellina) and Warakurna, the team worked alongside students to create, perform and celebrate together. Along the way there were spinning plates, balancing feathers, shadow puppetry, bubbles, costumes, songs and plenty of laughter.
But Dust Up is about far more than the activities themselves. This year’s festival theme, reciprocity, has been felt throughout every workshop and interaction. As our Clown Doctors arrived with games, clowning and invitations to play, communities responded with their own stories, songs, humour, creativity and generosity. Together, our Clown Doctors and the communities created something uniquely their own.
Where Creativity and Confidence Grow
Dr Fizzy Whizzy shared that one of the highlights of the tour has been witnessing the confidence and enthusiasm of young people continuing to grow year after year.
‘We’ve been LOVING seeing the growth in skills, confidence and engagement across all the communities. We’re getting requests for favourite games from previous years, seeing young people jumping in with more confidence, and watching the workshops get bigger, sillier and more joyful every time. There’s such a great energy building in the lead up to the Dust Up Festival.’
The Spirit of Reciprocity
As schools came together for the Dust Up Festival itself, students showcased their creativity, talents and cultural knowledge through performances, workshops and community celebrations. The festival provided opportunities for young people to express themselves, connect with one another and take centre stage, while Clown Doctors cheered them on from the audience.
We feel privileged to return to Dust Up each year. The festival is a powerful reminder that laughter, creativity and play can bring people together, while honouring the strength, culture and stories of the communities who call the Ngaanyatjarra Lands home.
