The didgeridoo is the sound of Indigenous Australia.
Its deep, spine-tingling resonance has been heard on these vast lands for countless generations, and has become the ideal vehicle for engaging local, national and international audiences with Indigenous Australia through the education, celebration and preservation of Indigenous cultures.
To enquire about booking a didgeridoo performance by our Executive Director, David Williams please contact us.
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David Williams is a proud Wakka Wakka man, internationally recognised performer and musician, speaker, and co-founder/director of Gilimbaa. Having experienced first-hand the language and music of his people as a child, he was encouraged by family to connect his culture to the wider community.
David has performed at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the Anzac Dawn Service in Gallipoli, Westminster Abbey, and numerous Qantas events throughout Australia, USA and Europe, and has toured with Busby Marou supporting Michael Bublé and James Blunt, among other notable achievements.
Through his didgeridoo performances and public speaking, David aims to educate and encourage a wider understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture.
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David has worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the last 15 years delivering cultural
presentations, performances, and speaking engagements as part of the Department’s public diplomacy program.
This has included events in:
Shanghai and Beijing, China;
Bangkok and Nong Khai, Thailand;
Vientiane, Laos;
Washington DC, Houston and San Diego, United States;
London, United Kingdom; and
Jakarta, Indonesia.
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David’s longstanding relationship with Qantas began back in 2006 when he was first engaged by the national airline to perform with jazz legend James Morrison at the company’s 85th birthday celebration.
Since then, David has enjoyed a trusted and fruitful relationship with the company, performing at numerous milestone events, including:
The Emirates/Qantas launch, Sydney;
Qantas’s 95th birthday, Sydney;
A380 inaugural flight to Los Angeles, Sydney;
Sydney to Auckland promotional flight, Sydney;
The inaugural Sydney to Beijing performances, Sydney;
The inaugural Sydney to San Francisco performances, San Francisco and Napa Valley;
‘Welcome home’ ceremonies for Australian athletes from the 2012 (London) and 2016 (Rio) Olympics, Sydney;
The inaugural Perth to London direct flights and related celebrations;
The inaugural Sydney to Seoul direct flights trade/media event, Seoul; and
The Auckland to New York direct flights restart, Auckland and New York.
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David has had the privilege of being a part of several notable Anzac commemorations, including:
The 2017 centenary of the Battle of Polygon Wood, Passchendaele at the Buttes New British Cemetery, Belgium; and
The Gallipoli Dawn Service, Turkey.
David Williams Didgeridoo Performance Gallipoli 2017 from Gilimbaa on Vimeo.
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Supply Connect is the annual flagship event for the Indigenous business sector.
Held on Gadigal land at the ICC Sydney in 2023, the one-day event connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses with motivated buyers at the Indigenous business trade show, followed by a gala awards dinner and Supplier Diversity Awards, including some of the best acts in entertainment today.
David shared the stage with Electric Fields in a magical and powerful moment in front of many of our Gilimbaa friends, fellow Indigenous business owners and clients celebrating the Indigenous business sector.
Image: Joseph Mayers Photography
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Every year, the National NAIDOC Ball is held in a chosen host city, and, in 2019, it was Canberra’s turn, with 800 guests attending the prestigious, televised event.
The ceremony recognises the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to improve the lives of Indigenous people in their communities and beyond, and to promote Indigenous issues in the wider community.
Our good friends at 33 Creative engaged David to perform Goanna’s classic ‘Solid Rock’ alongside Casey Donovan and Dan Sultan.
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Australian three-piece Spiderbait have been rocking for over three decades and continue to wow audiences across Australia and overseas.
David performed with the band in Central Park, New York as part of the Big Aussie BBQ event, before going on to accompany the group at Wanderer Festival in Pambula Beach and at Caloundra Music Festival.
Image: Sounds Australia
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For more information or to enquire about booking David for a performance please contact us.
