Following confirmation that Phase 4 restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future, it is with great sadness that we announce this year’s Wardarnji has been postponed.

A celebration of Noongar stories, song and culture, Wardarnji attracts thousands of people to our South Lawn each year. Fremantle Arts Centre believes running the event at half capacity would drastically reduce the number of people able to celebrate this important Noongar festivity and therefore it will not take place in December as planned.

Regulations permitting, Wardarnji will return bigger and better in 2021 when we can all celebrate together safely.

Wardarnji Event Producer Karla Hart made this statement:

“With our Noongar people we have seasons where we enjoy things pertaining to that season. Sometime the season is early, sometimes it is late and sometimes it comes and goes quickly without much happening due to other things happening in the environment. As Wardarnji has become iconic in our community and is held annually at a particular time of year, this year the season of Wardarnji has been affected by COVID and because we wouldn’t want to hold an event where we would have to turn people away, we will wait until a season approaches where we can be free and enjoy it.

“Just like a quandong where we savour the taste and picking, let us look forward to savouring our memories of the sensations of Wardarnji when it comes back around for the next season. Woola!”

We look forward to Wardarnji’s return in 2021.