Goomblar Wylo is an extraordinary Australian Aboriginal man who comes from the Birri-Gubba and Wakka Wakka tribes of South East Queensland. He was born on the Aboriginal settlement Cherbourg that is north of Kingaroy in Queensland. Cherbourg saw Aboriginal people from over 100 tribes placed together by the Australian Government in a single settlement. This policy created many problems but it did lead to different Aboriginal groups swapping ideas, dances and culture. The Aboriginal children of Cherbourg enjoyed cultural richness and varied Dreamtime stories.
Goomblar is one of the most internationally travelled indigenous artists today. His humanitarian outlook has seen him work with homeless children and inmates in the toughest gaols. He has worked in the NSW Corrective Services as a Drug & Alcohol Counsellor attending Parklea, Long Bay, Goulburn & Lithgow Gaols. It was in Parklea gaol that he started the first dance troupe to tour other prisons for Naidoc Week. This was a first in Australian prisons.
Goomblar was taken away from his parents at the age of 4 years and separated from his 10 brothers and sisters. He is still trying to find some of them and sadly a number have have died before any reunion was possible. 11 years ago he settled in the Blue Mountains, deciding that it was the place for him to bring up his family.
Goomblar has become an icon around the Blue Mountains and when not touring or in scheduled shows he can often be seen at the Echo Point lookout at Katoomba performing to the delight of the tourists. He has managed to master quite a few languages and regulary converses to intenational travellers in their own tongue.
Goomblar has long provided invaluable social and community support services and is now about to share his talents and assist Aboriginal groups and performers to develop their skills. The Culture Centre link on your left has more information.
