bio

Some History

With growing awareness of the gap in opportunity between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, members of Zig Zag Community Arts Inc in 2006 began a project which has become Madjitil Moorna – Magical Bush Sounds.

Della Rae Morrison

This all-ages community choir sings indigenous music,
led by award-winning indigenous musicians
Della Rae Morrison,
Jessie Lloyd and,
in 2009 for the first time,
George Walley.

Singing both traditional songs in language and soulful contemporary songs, the group has been winning over audiences since their first performance in 2006.

George Walley

‘Their spirited performance was outstanding and a credit to the musical directors' said His Excellency, Dr Ken Michael AC, October 2007.

There is a great deal of interest in the choir because of its potential as a catalyst for positive health outcomes and reconciliation. People of all ages and racial backgrounds sing weekly to maintain and improve personal health and wellbeing.

As one of the indigenous singers described,

Jessie Lloyd

‘Singing with Madjitil Moorna has made my spirit soar and my heart sing and my body tingle when the vibrations of our music and singing is in perfect harmony – I am alive in every cell.’

While many of the singers feel this choir gives them a chance to do something wonderful for themselves they believe that by singing they can contribute to positive change for indigenous people and for our society as a whole. Another indigenous member wrote, ‘… the choir has the ability to move so many people and spread the message of reconciliation far more effectively than any other method.’

Where to from here?

Madjitil Moorna is changing and growing in ways that we did not dream of. Now into its fourth year, we still have the occasional leadership of Della Rae and are thrilled to be enjoying Monday nights with award-winning singer-songwriter George Walley also!

The choir was honoured to be asked to perform the very poignant Sorry Song at the Perth celebration of the parliamentary Apology on February 13 last year. Immediately after the Prime Minister’s speech from Canberra, we sang…..‘Sing, sing loud, break through the silence, sing Sorry across this land!’ It was a precious moment for all of us but in particular the indigenous singers whose pride in their culture was affirmed and strengthened.

Madjitil Moorna is driven in part by performance invitations. Just a few days before our final performance in 2007, the choir was seen by an Aboriginal teacher from the Kimberley – a woman who is very involved with others in trying to address the issues which beset her town and the surrounding communities. This wish became our goal. In May this year Madjitil Moorna travelled to Halls Creek to share our songs of hope, love and reconciliation with children at the District High School and their wider families. An extraordinary week was had by 28 inspired MM people. Hundreds of kids and families enjoyed a RESPECT YOURSELF, RESPECT YOUR CULTURE Community Concert at the end of a week of singing and craft workshops. The choir was supported on stage by local musicians and over a hundred school kids, singing with us.

Plans for ongoing projects in Halls Creek are being discussed already as the choir’s belief in the healing power of community singing has been strengthened.
‘Respect our Elders and Nurture our Young People’ has become our theme for 2009.

Our Vision

written by
Karl Mourach

In conjunction with Aboriginal musical directors:

To sing in and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait language songs and compositions by indigenous artists from around Australia.
To acknowledge and embrace the stolen generations and their journey of healing.
To generate healing with the community through the vibrations of our harmonious songs.
To increase our Aboriginal and Torres Strait membership at every opportunity.
To create a warm, sensitive, safe environment to encourage members to express the joy and beauty of music.
To promote and embrace reconciliation through the multicultural blend of our members.
To share the joy of singing to and with Aboriginal communities and country towns.
To encourage Aboriginal communities and people from remote regions to form similar singing groups to enhance the healing process.
To have no singing pre-requisites for membership, apart from the will to receive and spread the joy in songs and camaraderie.
To use practice methods and materials that allow for members to learn to sing or develop their confidence to sing in a nurturing and supportive way.