Journey with communities: Exploring music stories of our neighbourhood

Sandra Kirkwood

Listen to the sounds you can hear in this place.

Importance of life stories

There used to be corroborees where people sang, danced and celebrated life events

Spiritual connections with places There were special

places, plants and animals.

A bunyip is said to have lived in waterholes covered by waterlillies.

Some stories were kept secret and others were shared with children. Two different schools.

Importance of people’s gatherings, language, music traditions and culture.

People gathered together at the Bunya Mountains to sing, dance and tell stories. They feasted on bunya nuts.

The sounds changed as people moved into the neighbourhood. They brought new songs and music with them.

“What a friend we have in Jesus”Estey reed organ in Purga church and Ira

Sankey’s Sacred Songs and Solos

“Queensland Children’s Song” (George Sampson) Qld Teachers Manual of Music 1900

The Queensland Children’s SongE.W.H. Fowles, M.A., LL.B.George Sampson

Final verse:

This land is ours; we can till or spoil.God grant that from age to age,We cherish more, come peace or war,Our Queenly heritage.

“Bunyip” (Herbert de Pinna)1914-1918 Pantomime

Purga Aboriginal Mission Concert Party 1931-1932

“Bunyip” songSssh! now listen all you childrenHark! Before you go to bedAnd I’ll tell you all about the bunyipThe Australian Bushman’s dread.Creeping all around the tea trees,Looking for a child like you,If you try to shoot you’re bound to miss himCos he changed into a kangaroo…

CWA Song: “Forward, Ever Forward!” Meta MacleanCHORUS:

Then forward! Ever forwardIn the name of Sisterhood!In Australia’s fame they have blazed their

name,Thro’ drought, and fire, and flood!So stretch your hand to the women on the

land from the Outback to the sea,Till a mighty band, together we shall standIn a chain of unity!

Nananala Kutuja (Harold Blair)

Pitjantjatjara chant and languageLyrics by Rev. R. Trudinger 1941-1942Nananala Noodoodjah Nananala NoodoodjahGoda Nyoon-doo nylna-ma. Goda Nyoon-doo

nylna-ma.Translation of lyrics (English)With us always O God do Thou stay

(repeated)We, having sinned, must henceforth avoid

evil,So - do Thou, Oh God always with us stay.

Waltzing Matilda (Nunukul Yuggera, pipe band, Scottish & Irish dancers)2006

We did not know how to say goodbye to them as they passed on.

Music Museum& Genogram

Ethnomusicking Improvising new musical material to tell

life stories. Accessible to all. Composing music for each individual in

memory of their interests, musical tastes and personal achievements.

The music expresses feelings, values and beliefs so may be more cathartic than some other activities.

Facilitating positive ways of expressing grief and loss. Pass on wisdom and memories. Develop resilience.

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News Stories

We told the Purga Music Story at community dinners and showed videos. Meeting place for

stakeholders Display & perform

music and tell stories. Keeping place

Music memory group reunions back in neighbourhood

Inter-generational sharing, respect elders

Active learning principles

Community education