Djinda Mereny – Dinner Under the Stars

Djinda Mereny – Dinner Under the Stars

The event was held at Government House Gardens on March 14th and offered guests an unforgettable evening of fine dining beneath the Western Australian starlit sky.
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The outdoor venue of Government House Gardens provided a picturesque backdrop for the event

Taking place the day after our Bunuru Social Impact Summit, Djinda Mereny was the perfect way to close out the Summit for those who attended both events and a celebration in its own right for those who joined us just for the night.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with balmy weather and incredible opening performances by Lily Gogos and Ron Dick.

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Performances by Lily Gogos and Ron Dick
Our Elder’s lounge provided an opportunity for guests to catch up
before making their way to the tables for dinner

The highlight of the evening was the seasonal menu designed by renowned Wardandi Bibbulmun woman Dale Tilbrook and the talented executive chef of Fervor, Paul "Yoda" Iskov. Together, they showcased their passion for native Australian ingredients, creating a culinary journey that delighted the senses and celebrated the richness of Western Australian produce. The menu was brought to life by the executive chef of Ultimo, Max Ling, and a team of 16 Ultimo chefs and 36 service staff.

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Paul Iskov and Dale Tilbrook introducing dessert on the night
From tantalising appetisers to exquisite main courses,
each dish was a testament to the creativity and expertise of the chefs
Ultimo Catering & Events

Dale, Paul, and the Ultimo team were joined by the Djinda Ngarark program participants from Prepare Produce Provide. Djinda Ngarark offers First Nations youth from schools in the metropolitan area, Midwest, Pilbara, and Kimberley regions the opportunity to be trained and mentored by some of our State's top chefs. It was a joy to have these young people work with us on the event, and what an incredible job they did!

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 Djinda Ngarark program participants at the event
Prepare Produce Provide's Youth Ambassadors, Molly West, and Rishaye Shaw, addressed the audience. They spoke about their experience as past participants of Djinda Ngarark and introduced us to Kepa Kwab (Beautiful Water), a non-alcoholic beverage that guests enjoyed with their dinner.
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Molly and Rishaye addressing the audience

Guests were treated to a performance of Yokolarang by Shenton College Wind One. The students' talent melded seamlessly with the delicious food and the enchanting ambience of the gardens. 

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Shenton College Wind One
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Other performers included Billie Court and Nyirey Kickett, and the final performance was a mesmerising set by Phil Walleystack.
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Performers at Djinda Mereny – Dinner Under the Stars

Our thanks go to Aunty Liz Hayden for her Welcome to Country, Professor Peter Klinken for addressing the audience (In both Noongar and English!), and Barry Winmar for his incredible job as MC for the evening.

The event was flawlessly managed by Atelier – House of Events, with a host of Perth's best event industry vendors involved, including:

Florals – The Flowergirl

Production – Event Ex

Turtle Installation – Lara Rose Bos

Danjoo Koorliny would like to thank everyone for their presence on this memorable night.

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Djinda Mereny Gallery 2024
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