Djilba,
A Moment in Time

Djilba: A Moment in Time is a solo performance work by dancer and choreographer Floeur Alder and sculptor and writer Virginia Ward. The work evolved from a creative journey on Menang Noongar Country in south-west Western Australia, celebrating Djilba — the Menang Noongar season of transition, emergence and growth.

Inspired by the Rainbow Coast in WA’s Great Southern region and First Nations stories from that area, the work holds a playful and meditative connection with nature.

Floeur and Virginia were honoured to work with local Traditional Owners Larry Blight and Aunty Vernice of the Menang Clan, Noongar Nation, Albany. Through these relationships, local cultural knowledge was generously shared and, with their blessing and approval, respectfully woven into the work.

In Djilba, Floeur expresses the season through dance, while Virginia responds with words and imagery. Virginia’s evocative poetry celebrates four Western Australian locations that shaped the work: Waychinicup, Many Peaks, Porongurup (Tree in the Rock and Devil’s Slide), and Little Beach/Waterfall Bay.

The work was first developed during a month-long residency at the Vancouver Arts Centre in Albany in September 2019 and premiered in Bayswater, WA in 2021.

As Alder notes, the work was created shortly after the passing of her father, Alan Alder, in 2019. In part, Djilba reflects on how immersion in nature can guide us gently through grief.

“Playful and meditative, Floeur Alder’s solo work Djilba (Spring): A Moment in Time leaves the viewer immersed in the tranquility of its bush setting.”
— Kim Balfour, Seesaw Arts Magazine (WA), 2021

“Floeur has family dancing roots deep in the ACT and magical Mirramu on the bank of Lake George, is the perfect setting for Djilba’s dance in nature aesthetic”
- Dr Cathy Adamek, Ausdance ACT, 2026

Run time 45 mins

Please note:
This work is site specific and adapted each time to make it work within the environment. This work will be interpreted to fit within the Mirramu landscape.
This work is presented in nature. We invite you to come early with your picnic rug or camping chair and some snacks to enjoy before the show. Limited seating is available, please bring your own chairs or rugs to sit on the grass.

Presented by Ausdance ACT for Australian Dance Week.
Staged with the support of Mirramu Arts Centre and Australian Dance Party.
Produced by Kiri Morcombe.

Choreography: Floeur Alder
Costume and Narration: Virginia Ward
Original Set Design: Korin Gath
Videography: Phillippa Clarke


Image: Floeur Alder in Djilba, A Moment in Time, Photo: Michael Juliff

FAQ’s

Mirramu Creative Arts Centre– a Natural retreat for performing and visual artists, writers, healing practitioners, founded in 1989 on the shores of Lake George / Weereewa near Bungendore by renowned Australian dance pioneer Dr Elizabeth Cameron Dalman OAM CdOAL.

A place of Dreams, Creativity, and Harmony with Nature.

What you need to know about attending Mirramu Arts Centre:

Location:
849 Lake Road Bungendore
Please note the road is unsealed (dirt).

Parking:
Parking will be on the verge at the entrance to Mirramu Arts Centre and nose in along the lower section of the driveway. You will need to walk from your car up a gentle slope to get to the performance area. There will be guides to help you find your way.
Carpooling is recommended to help with parking availability and reduce your impact to environment.

What to bring:
For the show, bring a blanket to sit on, or a camp chair (there will be chairs provided, but feel free to bring your own), some picnic food and some drinks.
Additionally, bring:
- warm layers
- snacks and water/something to drink
- picnic blanket
- mozzie repellant

Please note that food and drinks will not be for sale/available at Mirramu Arts Centre.

Appropriate clothing and Footwear: Please make sure you wear clothing that will provide you with protection from the sun, wind and rain. Also wear some comfortable shoes that can do some light bushwalking. No heels!

Bring a hat, sunscreen and warm layers as the temperature at Mirramu changes when the sun disappears behind the escarpment.
In May it can get a little cool after 3pm. 

Interaction with Wildlife:
Mirramu Creative Arts Centre is home to many creatures and we live here in harmony with each other. During your time at Mirramu you may encounter insects,  spiders, snakes & local wildlife like wallabies and possums. Please take responsibility for your own safety when you meet our local wildlife, walk with care and with eyes open.

Environmental Risks:
Mirramu Creative Arts Centre has uneven surfaces, slopes and stairs. Please make sure you take care in navigating the Arts Centre. All buildings and stairs are sound and safe for use. 

How far is Lake Road from Bungendore town centre?
Mirramu is on Lake Road, which is about 14 kms from the centre of Bungendore. Carpooling is recommended.

What if it rains or the weather is bad?
If there is rain forecast please bring a raincoat or umbrella. 
We won’t cancel the performance if bad weather is expected, we will just move it into the sheltered studio at Mirramu for safety and comfort.

What to take away from Mirramu with you
- your big nature filled breaths
- your open heart
- your bags
- your rubbish

Floeur Alder has an Advanced Diploma in Dance (1998) and BA in Performing Arts (2003) WAAPA; in 2000 received a creative development fellowship to study with several of the top contemporary companies in Europe.

Since 2005 Floeur has danced with Leigh Warren and Dancers, Tasdance, Strut dance, Ochre Contemporary Dance Company and NT Dance Company. 

In 2011, Floeur received a Churchill Fellowship to study at the Paris Opera School, Royal Danish school/company, Perm Ballet Academy in Russia and the Royal Ballet School.

Floeur is now an independent artist and choreographer, creating works for Ochre, WA Ballet and independently. 

In 2019 Floeur created Djilba (Spring) “A Moment in time” with artist, Virginia Ward and since 2021 has toured to Bunbury Fringe, Joondalup Festival, Imaginarium Festival, York Festival, Relaunch of the Albany town hall festival, Happs and Voyager winery.

Throughout her career she was awarded ‘Most Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’ at the 2006 WA Ausdance Awards for Rare Earth, voted Dancer to Watch by WA, by Rita Clarke and Australia’sMost interestingIndependent Artist in 2018 by Margaret Mercer in the Dance Australia Magazine. In 2019 Floeur was nominated for Best Female at the WA Performing Arts Awards, Beyond by Chrissie Parrott.

In 2025 the documentary, Pointe Dancing on a Knife’s Edge, based on Floeur’s life and family premiered at CinfestOZ, with screenings at Luna cinema and has toured the East coast and Darwin.

Virginia completed a Diploma in Sculpture at Claremont College of Fine Arts in 1981, a Bachelor of Fine Art Sculpture, Curtin University, 1986.

Master of Art of Fine Art (Sculpture) by research Victorian College of the Arts 1990.

Drawing and Sculpture tutor Victorian College of the Arts 1989-1990.

Received the ANZ bank ‘Outstanding Student Award 1990.

Lecturer in sculpture at Curtin University, part time and casual 1991-2005.

Wrote concept outline for under graduate Curtin Online Sculpture units 2004.

Australian Postgraduate Award for Doctoral research 2005.

Virginia has been in six exhibitions at the Art Gallery of WA.
Longevity in the Art industry is shown by the Galleries she has exhibited, including: Praxis, Gallerie Dusseldorf, Prism, The Beach Gallery, Undercroft Gallery UWA, Pica, Goddard de Fiddes, and IASKA in Kellerberin.

Virginia is still a practising Artist and is in charge of the Art Collection of the Karrakatta Club.

Virginia Ward in The West publication

Dancing on Alder Rise
Flashmob: 10am, Sunday 26 April, Alder Rise Whitlam ACT
Morning tea: 11am - 12pm Mingle Community Space, SLA Display Village, 3 Klaus Moje st, Whitlam

Learn the dance in advance and join us to dance together on Alder Rise, Whitlam to celebrate Australian Dance Week 2026 and Alan Alder with his daughter, Floeur Alder.
This event is supported by Suburban Land Agencies Mingle Program, Ausdance ACT and Australian Dance Party.

We want you to join in the fun with us!
Here’s how:
Step 1. Please register by following the linkto join us.
Step 2. Learn the dance before you join us!
Step 3. Meet us at Alder Rise, Sunday 26 April, 10am, wearing green, Alan’s favourite colour
Step 4. Have fun!
Step 5. Join us for morning tea at Mingle (from 11am)

Flashmob FAQ’S
What is a flashmob?
A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people that assembles suddenly in a public place, performs for a brief time, then quickly disperses, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, and/or artistic expression. Flash mobs may be organized via telecommunications, social media, or viral emails.

This Alder Rise flashmob
This flashmob is created specifically to celebrate and honour Alan Alder, which Alder Rise is named after. His daughter, Flouer Alder has created some simple choreography to lean in advance. This choreography is a section of her work Djilba, A Moment in Time, which will be performed by Floeur on 2 April at Mirramu Arts Centre, Bungendore.
This is a FREE dance event that provides everyone the opportunity to dance as a community.

How do I participate?
Register on this link and watch and learn the choreography here and find out more here. (scroll to Flashmob @ Alder Rise Whitlam), then join us on Alder Rise at 10am sharp.

Should I reverse the movement in the choreography?
NO. We have mirrored it already for you, so learn the dance facing the screen.

Where do we meet?
Meet us on Alder Rise, it’s not a really long street, so just meet us there! Don’t forget to wear something green!

What will happen on the day?Schedule:
10am Meet Alder RiseWelcome and brief instructions to arrange us into the ‘mob’
10:15am Rehearsal
10:25am Flashmob!
10:30 am flashmob is complete
11am Meet @ Mingle for morning tea (till midday)

Where is Mingle?
The Mingle community space and SLA Display Village in Whitlam is located at 3 Klaus Moje St, Whitlam, ACT. There is a large carpark directly across the road from the space.

What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?
If bad weather (ie rain) is forecast, we will cancel the day before via email. Please make sure you register your participation with us via a the form so we can contact you.

Is the choreography very difficult to learn?
The choreography has been designed so that people of all ages and abilities can learn it relatively easily. It is only one minute long (looped) and you should be able to learn it in a small amount of time.
This choreography can be adapted for seated participation for those who need to adjust their participation. The choreography has been made from the work, Djilba, A Moment in Time.

What is Djilba about?
Djilba is about grief and loss and finding a way through these feelings through honouring those close who have passed.

How much does it cost to participate? Flashmob at Alder Rise is totally FREE! But we do need to put aside some time before the event to learn the dance.

What should I bring?
Bring minimal items/valuables that you can wear on your body.We will be moving, make sure you can do this comfortably.

Where should I park?
If you are driving, please park your car on surrounding streets, we need Alder Rise to be free of cars for us to dance! We encourage carpooling!

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes and shoes you can move and groove in!Alan loved green – If you have something green, please wear it!

Can my friends and family join me?Absolutely! Just make sure they register too, so everyone receives event updates ahead of time. 

Who is Alan Alder?
About Alan Alder
Born: Canberra, 1937, Died: Bayswater, WA, aged 81
Alan Alder was one of the finest dancers of his generation, and without peer as a character actor. His performance record included a spoiling-for-a-fight Tybalt in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, a vengeful Hilarion in Giselle, the puppet with a human heart in Petrouchka. He was equally at home in contemporary work such as the Moorish slave, Sebastian, in John Butler’s ballet of the same name, a glistening athlete in Butler’s Threshold, premiered by The Australian Ballet in 1968, and an obsequiously evil Iago in Garth Welch’s Othello (1971).

He will be best remembered, however, for his portrayal of Alain, the simpleton son to a wealthy vigneron, in Frederick Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée. The sight of him hobby-horsing a furled umbrella across the stage would have prompted Marcel Marceau to Bip his lid. It was a role Alan first performed with the Royal Ballet in London before recreating it when he returned home in 1963 to join the Australian Ballet. It was a role he had made his own.

Choreographer Barry Moreland says, “Alan was a terrific dancer-actor. He had a commanding stage presence, an immaculate sense of timing and a total immersion in the roles he played.” For Alan, Moreland created the roles of Lord Capulet in his Romeo and Juliet, and the father of Marguerite Gautier in Lady of the Camellias, two works Moreland created for West Australian Ballet during his 14-year artistic directorship.

Alan Richard Alder was born in Canberra on 14 September 1937, a son to Richard Alder, a chef at Parliament House, and Edna (née Crawley) a receptionist. He matriculated, chose not to go to university, completed national service, and joined the Department of Foreign Affairs for a year. He had shown early interest in learning tap and Scottish highland dancing from June Hammond before studying ballet with Barbara Todd. A scholarship took him to the Royal Ballet School in 1957 before spending time with Covent Garden Opera Ballet. He joined the Royal Ballet in 1958, beginning a long association with Swan Lake, from corps de ballet to soloist, and for the next four years, toured extensively through Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.

The founding artistic director of The Australian Ballet, Peggy van Praagh, invited him to join as a senior soloist in 1963, and he was promoted to principal artist in 1969. In 1972 he married internationally acclaimed ballerina, Lucette Aldous. They were then invited by the Soviet Ministry of Culture to study teaching methods in St Petersburg. Over four months, in late 1975, they studied the Vaganova system of training under the guidance of those who had taught Rudolf Nureyev. Their daughter Floeur, who was to become a talented dancer, choreographer and Churchill Fellowship holder, was born in Melbourne in 1977. Alan continued as a guest artist with The Australian Ballet until he retired in 1979, when his almost 17 years was the longest unbroken tenure of a dancer in the company.

Alan and Lucette taught at the Victorian College of the Arts, and at the Australian Ballet School with Dame Margaret Scott and Anne Woolliams. Then, in 1983, Alan accepted an appointment as Head of Dance at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), the same year that Moreland was appointed artistic director of West Australian Ballet, then a company of 12 dancers. It was the beginning of a fruitful and creative partnership.

“I could always count on Alan’s cooperation to provide students for the full-length ballets in the repertoire — Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Giselle, Nutcracker,” says Moreland. “Without the support of the Academy these works would not have been possible.”

Alan and Lucette set a high standard of teaching, and during his nine years at WAAPA, produced a crop of outstanding dancers, among them: Felicity Bott, Daryl Brandwood, Michael Campbell, Margrete Helgeby, Elizabeth Hill, Michelle Martin and Brett Roberts. Graduates have had significant careers, in Australian or international companies, as performers, choreographers, company managers and artistic directors.

Under Alan’s leadership, a two-year Associate Diploma was diversified into six courses, from Certificate to Degree, that catered for teachers, performers, Aboriginal students, as well as physical education instructors. There was a corresponding growth in full-time, part-time and visiting teaching staff. One part-time staff member, Spanish specialist Deanna Blacher, went on to form a successful company, Danza Viva, that included Academy graduates. Chrissie Parrott choreographed Impasse and Blackbird at WAAPA, subsequently taken into WA Ballet’s repertoire. WAAPA graduates joined her own company. In 1987, 12 WAAPA dancers represented Australia in the International Festival of Dance Academies in Hong Kong.

In 1991, when his contract expired, Alan was not reappointed as Head of Department but was offered a teaching position, which he declined. This management decision, made behind closed doors, left a bitter taste. Alan continued to teach privately.

Under Alan, the WAAPA Dance Department had formed close links with Ausdance WA, and after leaving WAAPA, he became a long-serving member of its management committee and also served as State Vice-President (1990-2006). In 2004, Alan and Lucette were recognised as State Living Treasures, and in 2009 he was honoured with an Ausdance WA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alan died of a rare, aggressive cancer on 15 July 2019. He is survived by Lucette, Floeur and her partner Adam Graham, and Alan’s younger sister, Joy. Two photographs of him by Janice McIllree—one brooding, one raffish—hang in the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

- David Hough, Dance Australia Magazine, 2019

Who is Floeur Alder?
About Floeur Alder
Floeur Alder has an Advanced Diploma in Dance (1998) and BA in Performing Arts (2003) WAAPA; in 2000 received a creative development fellowship to study with several of the top contemporary companies in Europe.

Since 2005 Floeur has danced with Leigh Warren and Dancers, Tasdance, Strut dance, Ochre Contemporary Dance Company and NT Dance Company. 

In 2011, Floeur received a Churchill Fellowship to study at the Paris Opera School, Royal Danish school/company, Perm Ballet Academy in Russia and the Royal Ballet School.

Floeur is now an independent artist and choreographer, creating works for Ochre, WA Ballet and independently. 

In 2019 Floeur created Djilba (Spring) “A Moment in time” with artist, Virginia Ward and since 2021 has toured to Bunbury Fringe, Joondalup Festival, Imaginarium Festival, York Festival, Relaunch of the Albany town hall festival, Happs and Voyager winery.

Throughout her career she was awarded ‘Most Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’ at the 2006 WA Ausdance Awards for Rare Earth, voted Dancer to Watch by WA, by Rita Clarke and Australia’sMost interestingIndependent Artist in 2018 by Margaret Mercer in the Dance Australia Magazine. In 2019 Floeur was nominated for Best Female at the WA Performing Arts Awards, Beyond by Chrissie Parrott.

In 2025 the documentary, Pointe dancing on a knife’s edge on Floeur’s life and family premiered at CinfestOZ, with screenings at Luna cinema and has toured the East coast and Darwin.

Floeur will also be presenting a range of classes, workshops, a film screening and a flashmob which will contain the choreography from Djilba, A moment in Time, the work Floeur will perform at Mirramu.
To find out more, visit these links:

Sunday 26 April, 10am - 11:30am
Flashmob @ Alder Rise, Whitlam
A street takeover in dance to honour Floeur’s after, Alan Alder, whom the street is named after.
Check out the tab Flashmob @ Alder Rise above for more information.
1. Register to participate
2. Learn the dance before you arrive
3. Dance with us on Alder Rise, Sun 26 Apr, 10am
4. Join us for morning tea afterwards at Mingle

Saturday 2 May, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Dance & Healing movement workshop
Mirramu Arts Centre
Join a unique event lead by International Dance Artists, Debora Di Centa, Floeur Alder & Grace Peng sharing their practice.
Debora, Floeur and Grace invite you to a special two-hour workshop at Mirramu Creative Arts Centre, where they will share their journey in dance and healing practice.
During the workshop, participants will experience a guided session featuring sound exploration, movement expression, connection with nature, and elements of somatic and contact improvisation dance practice. The workshop is designed for all levels of movement and dance experience, from beginner to advanced and it will be presented both outdoors and in the dance studio.
Bookings: Dance and Healing Workshop

*** Stay on at Mirramu to enjoy Djilba, A Moment in Time. After booking for the workshop, attendees will receive a special discount code to see Djilba at $5 off per adult’s ticket booked.

Sunday 3 May, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Floeur Alder Floor Barre and Contemporary Dance Workshop
Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon ACT.
Join Floeur in a fun and friendly class to explore new forms of motion and find flexibility at your level. 

Floorbarre - a combination of yoga and classical ballet on the floor, to increase strength, flexibility and rotation. Exercises can also be used in everyday life.  
Contemporary – a basic technique class adjusted to suit various levels of experience. This includes floorwork, travelling sequences and applying creative elements from the performance ‘Djilba’ at the conclusion of the session. 
Bookings: Floeur Alder Floor Barre and Contemporary Dance Workshop‍ ‍

Sunday 3 May, 2pm
NFSA Film screening + Q&A
POINTE: Dancing on a Knife’s Edge
ARC Cinema, NFSA
Bookings: POINTE: Dancing on a Knife's Edge + Q&A | National Film and Sound Archive
Trailer