Bungaree Indigenous Performance Group

Sailors of the Bungaree Indigenous dance group perform a Torres Strait Island dance aboard HMAS Adelaide during Australia Day festivities in Sydney Harbour.

Bungaree is an Indigenous performance group made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sailors serving in the Royal Australian Navy.

Originally formed in 2013 and formally named ‘Bungaree’ in June 2014, the indigenous performance group is named after King Bungaree (1775-1830) of the Garigal clan from Broken Bay, NSW, who was the first known Indigenous Australian to circumnavigate Australia during his voyage in HMS Investigator between 1801 and 1803 with Matthew Flinders.

The Royal Australian Navy's Indigenous Performance Group provides a display to the 800 guests at the Town Hall reception, at the completion of the Combined Navies Parade held in October 2013 during the International Fleet Review.

Representing clans and nations from as far afield as Torres Strait to the western plains of New South Wales, all members are either officers or sailors of the Royal Australian Navy who come together for special events and ceremonies throughout the year.

Bungaree members wear a mix of traditional dress and naval uniform representing both their traditional and military heritages. Their performances reflect both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and were first displayed at the 2013 International Fleet Review.

Bungaree members embarked in HMAS Darwin perform for guests on the flight deck of HMAS Darwin during an event in Jakarta, Indonesia.