Join us for the annual George Briscoe Kerferd Oration, a free community event first held in 2003 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the naming of Beechworth. Held in Victoria’s beautiful Indigo Shire, the Oration honours the legacy of George Briscoe Kerferd (1831–1889)—an energetic community leader, Premier of Victoria, and Judge of the Supreme Court.

In 2026, we are honoured to welcome Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO – acclaimed soprano, composer, educator, artistic director, and one of Australia’s most influential arts leaders.

Born on Yuin Country in Nowra, New South Wales, Deborah is a proud Yorta Yorta and Yuin woman whose remarkable career has transformed the Australian cultural landscape. A member of the Stolen Generations, she was removed from her mother at just weeks of age and raised by an adoptive family in Sydney. As an adult, she reconnected with her Aboriginal family, heritage, and culture, experiences that have profoundly shaped her artistic work and advocacy.

Deborah’s celebrated works bring First Nations stories to the stage, including Pecan Summer, inspired by the 1939 Cummeragunja Walk-Off and the experiences of her Yorta Yorta family. As a human rights advocate and trailblazer for First Nations representation in the arts, she continues to create pathways for future generations of Indigenous performers and creatives.

With deep family connections to the Murray River region and North East Victoria, Deborah’s story is one of resilience, identity, and extraordinary artistic achievement. Her lifelong contribution to music, culture, and reconciliation has earned national and international recognition, making her one of Australia’s most respected cultural figures.

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