The Spirit of Churaki

The Spirit of Churaki is a staged musical production with multimedia elements inspired by the true story of Churaki, a Coodjingburra man of the Bundjalung tribe, heralded as the Gold Coast’s first surf lifesaver. Churaki performed the first documented act of lifesaving on the Gold Coast in 1911, one of many daring rescues he carried out in the early 1900s as the surf bathing craze took hold. The Spirit of Churaki honours a rich lineage of First Nations saltwater people, a spirit of generosity, a deep connection to country and cultural obligation.

Two years in the making, this heroic, largely unknown story brings together an extraordinary line up of Australian musicians, including Fred Leone, Emily Wurramara and Veronique Serret, with visuals by acclaimed artist Vernon Ah Kee and music direction by American rock legend Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes / Dark Mofo), who was awarded a Helpmann for Best Musical Direction in 2018.

The Spirit of Chuarki rides the perfect wave between traditional ceremony, the ancient sounds of Aboriginal language and compelling music theatre, closing with set by Australian surf rock legends, The Break (starring Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie, Martin Rotsey of Midnight Oil, Jack Howard of Hunters & Collectors and Brian Ritchie).