“Over the years we’ve done shows celebrating different themes and ideas, and Rockwiz as a format is very adaptable. We’ve celebrated different decades, we’ve celebrated the music of different countries, we’ve done Rockwiz Salutes the Rock Musical, and Rockwiz Salutes Eurovision.

“Having artists like Kee’ahn, Bart Willoughby, Dallas Woods and William Barton involved for NAIDOC Week at Leaps and Bounds ... that makes us lift our game.”

A moon boot and the “knee scooter at Bluesfest, which was pretty funny,” won’t be needed this time, Zemiro says. Instead, she expects to be back in the groove with official scorer Brian Nankervis, and the Rockwiz Orkestra.

Kee’ahn released her debut single Better Things two years ago and is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal woman, originally from northern Queensland. She’s performed at Splendour in the Grass, St Kilda Festival, Dark Mofo and Golden Plains, and told The Age: “As a kid, if you love music and see other blackfellas taking up this space ... it allows you the confidence to do your own thing”.

“It’s an honour to give back through music, through celebration. And it’s such an honour to be on stage with all these other people I’ve looked up to,” she said. “I’m really excited about meeting Aunty Deborah [Cheetham].”

Other NAIDOC Week events taking place as part of Leaps and Bounds include a special night of storytelling with award-winning actor, Aboriginal elder and activist Uncle Jack Charles; a screening of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter’s Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow; and Cheetham’s sonic artwork The Rivers Sing: Reprise, a re-staging of the acclaimed opera singer’s unique layered voices, projected out along the banks of the Birrarung at Collingwood Children’s Farm, from July 8 to 17.

Mayor of Yarra City Council, Sophie Wade, said after last year’s “crushing feeling, when everyone was ready to go” and Leaps and Bounds was cancelled, the atmosphere over recent days and nights had been enormously uplifting.

“It’s been great. I was at the Bad Apples House Party last Friday, and I saw the Killjoys on Saturday night, and flicking through the schedule ... anybody could find something they’d be interested in. There’s so much variety.”

Originally conceived as an opportunity to focus attention on Yarra’s wealth of local talent and venues, Leaps and Bounds has grown into a winter treasure trove of live music, workshops, art and lighting displays, including artworks by Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, Jazz Money and Dr Christian Thompson AO that will be projected onto Richmond Town Hall until July 10.

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“There’s a great line-up of artists, and diverse venues, from quiet clubs and small pubs to the Collingwood Town Hall, so it’s a great opportunity for our people and our artists to work in different venues,” Wade said.

“And there are sensible things people can do if they have any concerns, just wearing masks is a sensible precaution and that’s an option for everyone ... and shows a sense of care for your local community and those around you.”

Leaps and Bounds runs until July 24. For more information and tickets, go to lbmf.com.au