Tara Gower
Tara Gower is a Yawuru woman from Broome with Filipino, Irish and Spanish bloodlines. Tara returned home to Broome after a successful career with Bangarra Dance Theatre for 15 years as a professional dancer. Since March 2020, Tara has been working as a Community Liaison Officer in Broome and developing wellness programs for local youth through culture, dance and music. In 2021 Tara initiated a dance program through KAMS (Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service) and Goolarri Media Enterprises, where she collaborates with Yawuru elders to teach the next generation both contemporary and traditional dances leading up to numerous performances at leading events around town. Emerging musicians are also given the opportunity to create original tracks for the dances. Successful showcases are during NAIDOC week, A Taste Of Broome Festival, WAAPA’s music collaboration, Shinju Matsuri Festival of The Pearl, Broome Fringe Festival – Skutta, Worn Art, Broome Pride and Cinefest. This year Tara’s dance crew titled Burrb Wanggarraju Nurlu by Yawuru elder Aunty Di Appleby, continues to bring opportunities to emerging dance and music artists who are eager to rekindle and sense of culture through Contemporary Indigenous expression – empowering our leaders of tomorrow.
In 2021 Tara won an award for best new movement director from Performing Arts WA, after choreographing the latest version of Jimmy Chi’s musical Bran Nue Dae in 2020, produced by Opera Australia. Tara was acknowledged by her community at the 2022 NAIDOC awards and won the Performing Arts category for contributing to the growth of creative industries. Last year Tara was the recipient of the Minderoo Artists Award.
Tara believes growing up on Yawuru country gave her the strength to pursue her dreams into reality. She is passionate about passing her skills onto the next generation and bringing creative pathways and experiences to remote areas of Australia. Tara is currently working at Theatre Kimberley as the First Nations Community Liaison Officer based in Broome.