We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land where we commemorate the cultural connections between the Dutch and the Nhanda People.
It is believed that in 1712 when the Zuytdorp crashed against the cliffs between Kalbarri and Shark Bay that there were survivors. Many Nhanda people today believe that their ancestors helped these foreign shipwrecked souls and that they became part of their community.
Welcome to Country
The Zest Festival opens every year with a Welcome to Country which expresses the cultural importance and connection to country the Nhanda people have. It is an opportunity to share stories and celebrate the country which is cherished by all.
2015 Welcome to Country
With the background of the Murchison River and a view out to sea we opened the Festival in the morning light tousled by high winds but high in spirit and excitement of a grand weekend ahead of us. The whales were leaping and the 500 strong audience applauded the beginning of the fourth Zest Festival in Kalbarri.
Jacko Whitby lead the Welcome to Country and Hon Shane Love MP spoke of the importance of regional events and tourism while Professor Jacqueline van Gent highlighted the value of celebrating and learning about our history and our connection to the world.
Our community poem was read and partners, sponsors and State government support acknowledged.
2014 Welcome to Country
Thanda Elder Jake Whitby talked about the importance of the country to the Nhanda community and patrons were welcomed with a beautiful dance to tapping sticks by Nhanda youth. The opening ceremony told the story of the Zuytdorp and the Dutch connection with our coast and the vision of the Zest Festival.
2013 Message Stick
The message sticks played a significant part in the opening of the 2012 Zest Festival. Leading up to The Zest Festival weekend, the Drage family met riders of the MidWest Horse Trekkers Club along the Murchison River, as part of the 10-day Kalbarri Horse Trek.
Colleen and Mauretta Drage welcomed these riders to country and entrusted them with several ‘message sticks’ that hold significant stories from the surrounding country. The riders then explored on horseback these remarkable places around Kalbarri – places of natural beauty – and learnt about some of the stories that enriched their experience. 
At the end of the horse safari the riders carried these message sticks along the Murchison River and rode into Kalbarri, where they handed the message sticks back to Elder Clayton Drage who welcomed all Zest Festival patrons to country.
The message sticks were added to the message stick installation, bringing all the stories together. It was a symbolic act representing how everyone journeys away from home; but even though you can be far from home; your story is still part of a place.
The Drage family wanted the creation of the message sticks to reflect the past, present and the future. They know that Murchison House Station and the surrounding country have a history of exploration, discovery, hard work, loss and love. That many people from European and Aboriginal heritage have connection to the place, from Nhanda people, to the first white explorers and pioneers, station owners, managers, workers and their families.
The Nhanda community expressed their belief in the power of bringing community together to share culture and the exciting initiative that has led to last years ‘Message Stick’ installation to be part of the opening of the Awesome Festival in Perth in October 2014. Over 40000 families were estimated to have attended this Festival over two weeks and it was fantastic that the Kalbarri Zest Festival and Nhanda people were promoted as contributing significant cultural experiences in WA.
Message stick video
2012 Zuytdorp Commemoration
One of the highlights of the Festival was Kalbarri’s first ‘Welcome to Country’. Clayton Drage, the last surviving child of Ada and Ernest Drage, who discovered Zuytdorp shipwreck artefacts in 1927, welcomed everyone to Nhanda country alongside his family.
Onlookers watched a Nhyumby dance by Nhanda children to the tapping of sticks. The Shire of Northampton President, Gordon Wilson, and His Excellency Willem Andreae, the Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, then unveiled the Zuytdorp’s commemorative plaque. This can be seen at the Zuytdorp Memorial on Chinaman’s lookout.
The Zest Festival began with a ‘Welcome to Country’ by the Drage family, and Nhanda youth once again gave a dance performance.
