Heath Bergersen (b. 1976) is an Indigenous actor working across Australian television series and movies. Born in Derby, Bergersen was adopted by a family in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and spent the first 16 years of his life in the city before moving to Perth to pursue music and acting. In Perth, Bergersen worked with primary school children, teaching them about Aboriginal art, culture and history. As a didgeridoo player, he also spent time explaining and demonstrating the machinations of the instrument. Passionate about music and performance, Bergersen completed a three-month course at the Aboriginal Musical Theatre Training Course. After that, he appeared in the musical Bran Nu Dae, performed with the Warda Dance Group, and acted—and toured—in various plays, including Wicked, No Prejudice and Runumuk. He first appeared on television with Kids Co. and The Great Outdoors, performed on the Channel 7 Christmas Pageant as a digeridoo player, as well as in two SBS documentary series, Images of Us and Destination Dole. Bergersen has appeared in feature films including Rabbit Proof Fence, Japanese Story and Secret River, played the lead role of Jarli Cooper in ReFraction.
Responsibility to educate is a core component of Aboriginal performance, culture and ceremony. Skills and knowledges have been passed on to keep culture alive. Bergersen, as a recognised Aboriginal actor, musician and performer, has been dedicated to make visible Aboriginal ways and culture to Australia and the wider international audiences.
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© Brett Canét-Gibson
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