Galah Gala will bring art, fashion, music and joyful self-expression to Bundanon this September, inviting guests to embrace creativity in one of regional NSW's most inspiring settings.
As daylight softens over the Shoalhaven River, Bundanon takes on a quieter rhythm. The surrounding bush begins to glow in the evening light, cockatoos call from the treetops, and the landscape settles into the kind of stillness that has inspired artists for generations. It is a place where creativity feels connected to Country, where architecture sits gently within nature, and where visitors are encouraged to slow their pace before discovering something unexpected.
On the evening of 5 September 2026, that familiar calm will give way to something altogether different. Galah Gala will arrive at Bundanon Art Museum, transforming the cultural precinct into an immersive celebration of performance, fashion, music and playful reinvention. Rather than simply presenting an event, Galah Gala will invite guests to become part of the artwork themselves, stepping into an evening where costume, creativity and community merge beneath the stars.
Hosted by acclaimed queer performance artist Aunty Jonny, the event promises an experience that is as much about participation as performance, encouraging every guest to arrive in full plumage and embrace the joyful spirit of Australia's most colourful birdlife.
Galah Gala Celebrates Creativity Without Boundaries
There are few places where dressing as a lyrebird, lorikeet or galah feels perfectly natural.
At Galah Gala, imagination becomes part of the evening's language. Guests will be invited to interpret Australia's remarkable birdlife however they choose, whether through elaborate handcrafted costumes, vibrant colours, sculptural headwear or playful accessories. Awards for Best Dressed Bird, Best Use of Colour and Best Headwear will celebrate originality rather than perfection, reinforcing the event's welcoming approach to creative expression.
The dress code, simply described as "Full Plumage," offers permission to leave convention behind. It transforms the audience into an extension of the performances themselves, blurring the line between artist and spectator.
In many ways, Galah Gala reflects Bundanon's long-standing commitment to creativity that extends beyond gallery walls.
Galah Gala Finds a Home at Bundanon
Bundanon has become one of New South Wales' most distinctive cultural destinations.
Located near the Shoalhaven River on the South Coast, the site combines contemporary architecture, significant art collections and a landscape that remains deeply connected to its natural environment. Originally gifted to the Australian people by artist Arthur Boyd, Bundanon continues to foster artistic practice while inviting visitors to engage with both creativity and Country.
Against this backdrop, Galah Gala feels particularly well suited.
The evening will begin with firepits glowing across the grounds while guests gather around the Birdcage Bar and Dining pop-up for cocktails and seasonal dining. Rather than rushing directly into performances, the event encourages visitors to settle into the landscape, allowing the surroundings to become part of the experience before music begins to fill the night air.
As darkness falls, Bundanon will become both stage and setting, offering a celebration that feels inseparable from the environment itself.
Galah Gala Brings Together Performance and Fashion
At the centre of Galah Gala is Aunty Jonny, the performance persona of multidisciplinary artist Jonny Hawkins.
Known throughout Sydney's creative community for work that is heartfelt, unpredictable and deeply engaging, Aunty Jonny has built a reputation for creating events where inclusivity and celebration naturally coexist. Their performances often dissolve the traditional boundaries between audience and performer, encouraging participation rather than observation.
Joining the evening will be an eclectic lineup including Duncan Fellows, Cheryn Frost, Emma Kew, Gogo and DJ Lorna Clarkson, each bringing their own artistic perspective to the program.
Adding another layer to the celebration, iconic Australian fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson will appear as special guests. Their decades-long influence on Australian design, colour and identity complements the event's emphasis on expressive fashion and artistic individuality.
Together, these artists create an evening that moves fluidly between performance, dance, costume and conversation.
A Journey Beyond Sydney
For many Sydney visitors, the journey to Bundanon forms part of the experience itself.
Travelling south through the Royal National Park and along the South Coast offers a gradual transition from city life to rolling farmland, forest and river country. By the time visitors arrive, the landscape has already begun preparing them for a slower pace.
Those choosing to stay for the broader Fashion Weekend across 5 and 6 September will find opportunities to continue exploring Bundanon through workshops, exhibitions and conversations celebrating Australian fashion and creativity.
Return shuttle buses from Bomaderry and Nowra will also make the evening more accessible for guests travelling from surrounding areas.
Galah Gala Invites Everyone Into the Story
Some cultural events ask audiences to quietly observe. Others invite participation.
Galah Gala belongs firmly in the latter tradition.
By encouraging visitors to dress imaginatively, gather around firepits, dance beneath the evening sky and celebrate artistic freedom, the event creates a shared experience rather than a conventional performance.
As music drifts across Bundanon and colourful costumes move through the museum precinct, the distinction between exhibition, festival and social gathering gently disappears.
Long after the evening concludes, what many visitors may remember most will not be a single performance, but the atmosphere itself: laughter echoing through the bush, brilliant feathers catching the final light, conversations beside the fire, and the quiet satisfaction of discovering that creativity often flourishes most naturally when everyone is invited to take part.
Event Details
Event: Galah Gala
Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Venue: Bundanon Art Museum, 170 Riversdale Road, Illaroo NSW 2540
Tickets:
- Adults: $45
- Concession: $40
- Members: $36
- Return Shuttle Bus (Bomaderry & Nowra): $15 per person
Featuring:
- Aunty Jonny
- Duncan Fellows
- Cheryn Frost
- Emma Kew
- Gogo
- DJ Lorna Clarkson
- Special Guests Jenny Kee & Linda Jackson
Official Event Link: https://www.bundanon.com.au/whats-on/galah-gala/