The Process Begins
A joint intiative between
Rimshot Music Australia & Desert Pea Media
In October 2008 Mathew Priestley and Toby Finlayson (artistic directors / Desert Pea Media)
invited Joel Westlake to accompany them to Boggabilla
on the QLD/ NSW border as part of a research and training initiative
to inform and develop potential community programs.
On Track
Learning the ways |
Mathew and Joel
The sharing of indigeneous history and culture (and tea!) was a primary objective of the expedition.
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Toby examines ancient spear sharpening grooves beside the river bed. "this is such a great opportunity for Australian indigenous communities, where opportunities for creative and professional development are often difficult to access. To encourage young people to achieve and to develop their form of expression and in turn, their local popular culture is truly a gift.”
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Mathew Priestley - a visionary and respected leader in his community. His knowledge and insight into contemporary indigeneous issues is crucial in guiding the healing process. |
Smoking ceremony |
The three young men visited sacred initiation sites and ancient tribal grounds
Ancestral site
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Ancient Rock Art |
Bush Tucker |
A planning & research process was also implemented around an upcoming Desert Pea Program -
‘Yanaay Grounds - 2009’ (Goodbye Grounds).
This will involve a 2 week community mentoring program, based around the local cemetery at the Toomelah Aboriginal Reserve, NSW.
The project will look at restoration of the site, the building of a ‘corroboree ground’ to host traditional ceremony and a media mentoring program based around film and music outcomes.
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Toomelah Mission |
Toomelah Mission Cemetary
Unmarked childrens graves.
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Planning and research for "Yanaay Grounds -2009" |
Hip Hop Rhyming workshop
Songwriting and rhyming workshops facilitate communication skills within the younger generation, offering a creative outlet and a facility for exploring cultural values.
Check out some of Desert Pea's previous Hip Hop music clips made with young indigenous communities - http://www.desertpeamedia.com.au/media.html
Back to foundation projects page
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Joel participates in his first indigenous rhyming workshop.
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