Birdwatching: An Australian Story

Every two years Australia votes in an iconic competition; The Guardian Australian Bird of the Year (reigning bird – the Tawny Frogmouth). Over 300,000 votes were cast in 2025.

Although eligible birds must be native, there is no ruling that they must only be native to Australian shores, unlike the second most popular national voting competition; the Federal Election. What does it mean to be Australian, when politicians are not allowed to hold dual-citizenship? What does it mean to be Australian, when a third of the population are born overseas? What does it mean to be Australian, when you are not?

This project is part of Vitals’ URGE Development Program.

URGE is a development stream supporting artists and projects from early ideas through to presentation-ready performance, with developments, residencies, workshops and laboratories taking place both locally and in partnerships across the country.

About the Artists

Isobel Marmion

Isobel Marmion (she/her) is a writer, performer, storyteller and arts worker based on Kaurna Country. Her practice frequently focuses on the intersection between science/nature and communal experiences, and she often uses humour to explore class disparities, loneliness and mental illness. Current and recent works include Streetlights and Long Nights, an audiowork about late night connection in unusual spaces, girlhood and the stars (lead creative) (Vitalstatistix and Illuminate Festival, 2025); BUMBLING, an interactive performance about bees, dating, loneliness and the End of the World (lead creative) (InSpace, Adelaide Festival Centre, 2022 and Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre 2024); and The Tasmanian Songbook, Volume III & IV, a jukebox, history lesson, rock concert about Tasmanian music (co-writer with Helen Shields and Scott Targett) (Festival of Voices, 2023 & 2024). Isobel is the Executive Producer of Adelaide Cabaret Festival and a previous artistic director of Festival of Voices (2023-2024) and the National Young Writers Festival (2020-2021). She has previously produced festivals including the BBC’s Contains Strong Language, Humber Mouth and The Big Malarkey. She has written for publications including fine print, Lip Magazine and Dolly.

Nelya Valamanesh

Nelya Valamanesh (she/her) is an Adelaide-based artist who has developed and produced works on various platforms. Nelya’s vision through all her creative avenues has been to speak her truth as a proud queer Iranian/Australian woman and elevate unspoken voices of colour and other marginalised groups. Nelya hit the scene under the stage name Dj Pillow Princess back in 2018. Nelya loves to throw down club beats from around the globe and from local underrepresented producers. As a local favourite in the queer scene in Kaurna Yerta, she does her best to mix queer intersectional and unapologetic floor fillers with nostalgic club hits. Now performing simply under the name NELYA, she has brought her signature flavour to music festivals such as Laneway and Groove in the Moo, was a Guest on Triple J’s Mix Up and Supported acts such as Peaches, Haiku Hands, Kira Piru, Milan Ring, Skin On Skin, Half Queen and Rinse FM’s Freshta & IZCO. Since graduating from MAPS film school in 2010 Nelya has worked on and off in the film industry in various roles in Writers Rooms, Art Department, Costume, Assistant Directing, Production. Supported by Screen Australia, Helpmann Academy, Closer Productions, AFTRS Talent Camp program, Nelya’s current project as writer and director is Rules to being a Fuckgurl.

Elaine Mariñas

Elaine Mariñas (she/her) is a Kaurna Yerta based Lawyer – Civil Law, working at Legal Services Commission of South Australia. Elaine provides legal assistance to clients in matters of migration, disability (NDIS), guardianship & administration, mental health law and housing. She is a passionate advocate for accessible justice, with demonstrated experience in legal practice and legal research.

About the Artists

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