Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe – Macedonia Tour – Wollongong City Libraries Illawarra Stories

The Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe dance troupe travelled to Macedonia in July 2006 to perform at the Balkan & Orhid Festivals. It was the first time an Aboriginal Dance group had performed in Macedonia and the group was received with great appreciation by their Macedonian audiences. The dance troupe performed in Skopje, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Bitola and Struga. The Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe dance troupe joined the Wollongong City Council delegation who were visiting Ohrid, Wollongong’s sister city. The dance troupe’s trip to Macedonia was made possible by donations and fundraising efforts. Many of the dance troupe members had never left country and did so with permission to share Aboriginal culture and represent Wollongong and indeed Australia in Macedonia. This project aims to recognise the significance of the groups’ contribution to international relations through sharing Aboriginal culture on the global stage.

Listen to Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dance Troupe members share their experiences about performing in Macedonia below.

View associated images in the exhibition in the Local Studies area on level 1 Wollongong City Library from 25 May 2026 or online via Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe perform in Macedonia – Wollongong City Libraries Illawarra Stories

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this page contains images and names of deceased persons.

Aunty Sharralyn Robinson (Aunty Shas)
Aunty Sharralyn Robinson is a local Aboriginal Elder born and raised in Dharawal Country. Aunty Shas is a Kamilaroi- Yuin Woman, she shares her experiences as Wollongong City Council Aboriginal community development officer who organised the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dance Troupe’s tour of Macedonia.

Listen to Aunty Shas’ Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Tour interview:

Uncle Roy Stewart

Uncle Roy Stewart Uncle Roy Stewart is a Yuin Nation Elder and has lived in Gerringong for many years and more recently in Warilla. Uncle Roy was the Elder and manager of the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe who travelled to Ohrid, Wollongongd Sister city, and other cities in Macedonia to perform Aboriginal Cultural dances and share culture. He shares his experience about the group performing in Macedonia.

Listen to Uncle Roy’s interview:

Ivan Morris
Ivan Morris son of Silvia Campbell and Michael Morris descendants from the Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti, Biripi and Walbunja country as well as ties to the Bundjalung country. Ivan Morris was a member of the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dance Group who travelled to Ohrid (Wollongong’s sister city) and several locations in Macedonia to perform. Ivan was a dancer and didgeridoo player. Ivan shares his experience shares travelling around Macedonia to perform with the group and represent the Illawarra and Australia in Macedonia. He shares what it how he felt the connection with the group and how the experience has been a positive influence in his life.

Listen to Ivan’s intervew:

Solkan Donaczy
Solkan Donaczy was born in Swan Hill NSW – Wemba Wemba Country. His maternal grandmother was from Balranald (NSW) – Mutti Mutti Country and maternal grandfather Hungary and his paternal grandmother was from Echuca VIC and Cummeragunja NSW and paternal grandfather from Indonesia. Solkan was a member of the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dance Group who travelled to Ohrid (Wollongong’s sister city) and several locations in Macedonia to perform. Solkan was a dancer and didgeridoo player. Solkan shares his experience travelling around Macedonia to perform with the group and represent the Illawarra and Australia in Macedonia. He shares what it meant culturally and describes details of the dances they performed on the tour.
Listen to Solkan’s Interview:

Mark Montag
Mark Mongta is a Gundagai Kurnai Man extended of the Yuin nation and extended of the Wamba Wamba nation. Mark was a member of the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dance Group who travelled to Ohrid (Wollongong’s sister city) and several locations in Macedonia to perform. Mark was a dancer and didgeridoo player and shares his experience travelling around Macedonia to perform with the group and represent the Illawarra and Australia in Macedonia. Mark tells what it was like and how he felt about leaving country and sharing his culture on stage abroad.

Listen to Mark’s interview:

Jared Stewart
Jared Stewart was a lead dancer in the Wadi Wadi Mixed Tribe Dance Troupe who travelled to Ohrid, Wollongong Sister city, and other cities in Macedonia to perform Aboriginal Cultural dances and share culture. He shares his experience about the group performing in Macedonia.

Listen to Jared’s interview: