The Vibe All-Stars
Meet the Vibe 3on3's deadly crew of Indigenous role models.
Claude Williams
A celebrated Black Diamond, Claude Williams played first-division rugby league and basketball for New South Wales.
Born in Camperdown, New South Wales in 1952, Claude played 12 games on the wing for South Sydney in the years 1972-73. After switching codes he went on to represent New South Wales in basketball in 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1981.
Not many players go on to enjoy successful coaching careers, but Claude did. In 1986-87 he was assistant coach of the Supersonics, followed by a year as coach of the Sydney Kings in 1988.
From there he became assistant coach of the Newcastle Falcons in 1989-90.
Dwayne Cross
Dwayne was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived there until he was 12. Moving to Los Angeles in California, he started playing basketball at age 13. After high school, Dwayne returned to Chicago on a scholarship to US International University.
Upon finishing college, he signed up with the prestigious Harlem Globetrotters and played with them for four years. From there he was active on the international circuit in Europe and South America, before moving to Australia in 1990 to play with Mildura and Mt Gambier.
Dwayne has been the Vibe 3on3® resident MC since its inception, a role that he enjoys immensely.
“Basketball is a game that everyone can play,” says Dwayne. “But the Vibe 3on3® "Looking Solid Feeling Deadly" is about more than simply playing a game. It’s about showing young people the way and giving them the opportunity to be the best they can be.”
Dwayne currently lives in Melbourne and is the co-owner of FuBu Clothing in Australia.
Luke Carroll
Sydney-based actor Luke Carroll is one of the most promising young acting talents currently in this country.
While only 27, Luke is somewhat of stage veteran, having already appeared in a range of productions, ranging from Conversations with the Dead, The Dreamers, Riverland and The Cherry Pickers.
In his first feature role, Luke was nominated for best supporting actor by the prestigious Film Critics Circle of Australia for his portrayal of Dumby Red in the film Australian Rules. The film received widespread critical acclaim after premiering at the Sundance film festival in 2002.
This engaging young man has also enjoyed recent stints on television series, appearing in Channel Nine’s The Alice and the critically acclaimed SBS production Remote Area Nurse.
While Luke has savoured his success on the screen, last year he returned to the theatre to play the lead role in Capricornia, Louis Nowra’s stage adaptation of Xavier Herbert’s compelling Australian novel of the same name.
Luke’s performance impressed critics and audiences alike, heralding a true coming of age for this talented young star.
In 2007 Luke completed work on the Australian feature The Tender Hook with Hugo Weaving and Rose Byrne, and appeared as a hospital intern in a seven-week guest role on the hit soap opera Home and Away.
Luke also recently appeared alongside Cathy Freeman in the second series of the SBS travel show Going Bush.
At the 3on3 Luke can be found at the Vibe Spin-Out wheel - quizzing the crowd on a range of health related trivia.
Lady Lash
A woman and artist of many talents Lady Lash writes, sings, raps, co-produces and is an integral part of the marketing of her own material.
Lash emerged as a solo vocal artist with a completely different sound, focusing on Jazz/Soul with a dash of Hip Hop, performing live with DJ Mz Rizk at venues such as Miss Libs, Bar 303, Espy and many community events throughout Victoria.
Lady Lash is a veteran of well over 100 shows , numerous collaborations,, has had her music played on radio stations such as JJJ ( 7 deadly sins feature artist) SBS Oz Music show, PBS, 3CR, Bumma Bippera and 2 Deadly.
TV station Imparja featured music by Lash in it’s programming and online site “Down Under Thunder” has also aired and supported Lash’s material.
Matt Sonter
Matt has had a long illustrious career as a professional rugby union player spanning more than thirteen years that has had him travel the world and represent his country.
During his career, Matt played in the Australian 7s rugby team, played for the Queensland Reds, Japanese Airlines in the Japanese top league and played for various club rugby teams in the Shute Shield including his home town the Central Coast.
Matt has a passion for giving back to the community and has undertaken role model work in various communities throughout the country. Matt is a board member of the Central Coast sports federation , the Central Coast Pelicans Aboriginal Sports Corporation and an active member of the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Academy.
Matt has completed a Diploma of Community Management and works today as the Wyong Shire Council Community Development Officer and ARU talent identification officer.
Through his work with Aboriginal youth on the Central Coast, Matt has developed the award winning Ngura (meaning ‘my place’) programs that are currently conducted in schools within the Wyong Shire.
Matt also has had great success with local sporting and community events including the Pelicans Touch Football carnivals and the National Indigenous Vibe 3-on-3 Basketball and Hip Hop Challenge.
Brothablack
When Shannon Williams got into rapping and breakdancing as a 12 year old, he never dreamed that it would one day become a career.
Now 27, Shannon (aka Brothablack) is in high demand as a hip-hop performer and teacher.
Brothablack is the total package: he can rap, break and beatbox. He’s also a loving father who enjoys motivating young people to be the best they can be.
Shannon turned his mind to rapping after listening to performers like Run DMC, NWA and Public Enemy as a youngster.
Shannon spent three years working as the 3on3’s resident b-boy, overseeing the event's breaking and rapping workshops, encouraging participants to get up and express themselves through rhythm and rhyme.
“It’s important to teach Indigenous young people in regional and remote communities that we have our own rapping and breaking culture,” he says. “That way, we can explode the myth about it just being an American thing. We have the talent and the interest right here.”
Nowadays, Shannon appears at the 3on3 occasionally as a guest MC.
Shannon has also enjoyed a succesful stage career, appearing in several successful Indigenous stage productions including 'Back Home' which also toured Canada in 2007. Noted for his live performances, Brothablack recently rocked the 2008 Big Day Out Festival in Sydney and Brisbane.
In 2005 Shannon released his debut album titled ”˜More Than a Feeling’ and is currently back in the lab working on his sophmore release.
Kevin Kropinyeri
Kevin belongs to the Ngarrindjeri Nation of the lower River Murray and Lakes region in South Australia. He grew up along the River Murray in his home towns of Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge.
The desire to paint lay dormant until July 2005 when Kevin was living and working in Bourke (Far Western New South Wales). People took an interest in his drawings and encouraged him to transfer them onto canvas.
Using bright colours and bold designs, Kevin describes his work as Contemporary Aboriginal Art. Although dot paintings are not the traditional style of the Ngarrindjeri, Kevin loves to create dot paintings that takes months to complete.
His paintings are gradually evolving in style and subject matter with his work representing River Life, Dreamtime Stories and Issues that affect Aboriginal people.
Kevin feels he has lot to learn and his best work is yet to come.
At the 3on3, Kevin can be found in the Art House, passing on techniques, tips and encouragement to our budding young artists.
Darren Compton
Darren Compton is a multi-skilled dynamic young Indigenous performer, a proficient didgeridoo player and dancer, in both traditional and contemporary styles covering the mainland and Torres Strait islands.
Performing with Descendance Dance Theatre since 2008, Darren’s recent dance performances include a contemporary interpretation of a creation story from the Yuin people, dance and music performances to international students during Macquarie University’s Diversity Week and NAIDOC week celebrations at TAFE, Western Sydney.
Medika Thorpe
Medika has always been passionate about dancing. She performed in the production of the 'Praying Mantis Dreaming' with the Bangarra Dance Company at the age of 9, where she travelled around Australia and once over to London.
She participated in the Opening & Closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and was also part of a Hip-Hop dance group called 'Caramell', winning the Groove Dance-Off competition back in 2002.
She hopes to inspire young Aboriginal kids through dance, to boost their confidence, which may help with not only expressing themselves, but also becoming stronger individuals.
At the 3on3, Medika coordinates the girls dancing workshops.
“I don’t want to sound to cliche, but 'shame' is still a key factor with many young people today and we need to break through that and dance can be one of many ways,” says Medika.