Halls Creek Project

Introduction

In May 2009 Madjitil Moorna, travelled from Perth to Halls Creek
for a unique project built around cultural exchange.

The project focused on promoting
positive self-esteem and good health
 through the healing powers of singing together in Aboriginal languages.
We taught our songs  and wrote new songs,
which were performed with the children at a Thursday night concert in Halls Creek for their families and the local community.

The group was led by Aboriginal musical directors,
Della Rae Morrison and George Walley.

The project was initiated by a Halls Creek teacher Doreen Green.

Background

An old friendship between Halls Creek teacher Doreen Green and Jo Randell led to the recent trip to the Kimberley.  Doreen grew up in the town and as an adult married with 5 small children, lived in Geraldton.  It was there in 1978 that Doreen enrolled in the new Aboriginal Access course being offered at TAFE.  Jo was her young teacher – just married and keen to teach adults, having taught in primary schools previously.

Doreen wanted to be a teacher and could see this as the way to achieve her goal.  Just five years of schooling and an avid interest in books were the only foundations for this ambitious plan.  Doreen did in fact complete the teaching degree in spite of all obstacles and taught in the prison system and in NT communities before settling back in her home town of Halls Creek.  She was distressed to see a level of addiction and violence which were not a part of her happy childhood in the beautiful country around Halls Creek.

Doreen now teaches at the Halls Creek District High School.  She met Jo again in October 2008 when she was in Perth for a conference.  It turned out that Madjitil Moorna was performing at the Chocolate Martini Aboriginal music club during her stay and she came along.  Doreen was extremely moved by the choir’s performance and thought immediately of the benefits that would flow if the children at her school could be exposed to the group and its soulful songs of reconciliation and healing. 

Doreeen Green and Marie Jacquier in Halls Creek

She said, ‘Be bold, Jo. We have to do it for the kids.’  Remembering these words and Doreen’s own determination, Jo was steeled to take on this challenge.  The choir, believing in the healing power of singing was keen to offer songs and friendship to the kids and community.

Achievements

After 12 months of planning, a field trip for 2 singers and some very effective fund-raising, Madjitil Moorna plus extras set off for Halls Creek.

The choir planned to promote positive self-esteem and good health through the healing power of singing together in Aboriginal languages as well as English. Little did they know how much they would receive as well as enjoy giving of themselves. The choir group was flexible and broke into small groups to do the following

All of this was achieved….and so much more! The presence of the Aboriginal Music Directors Della Rae Morrison and George Walley was invaluable as they together demonstrated strong and vibrant role models.

 

Choir sings the Jiggle song with kindy kids

One of the positive outcomes for Halls Creek is the desire shown by the current Halls Creek District High School music teacher Morwenna Harslett to pursue the option of a community choir based on the same vision as the Madjitil Moorna choir.  The first practice occurred during the week of the choir’s visit and continues on Tuesday nights.

Morwenna Harslett and George Walley

Highlights

The Community Concert was hugely successful and attended by hundreds of families from Halls Creek and outlying communities. After sharing a BBQ the audience enjoyed performances by the Halls Creek District High School children with the Madjitil Moorna choir, local country musician Geoffrey Fletcher, and award winning band "The Walkabout Boys."

 

Families huddle around Shire Stage to enjoy The Walkabout Boys’ performance

Other highlights for the choir included the performance at the Frail Aged Hostel, a welcoming and culturally sensitive environment that warmly received the group.

Caroline Pool at sunset

In the busyness of the week the choir still found time to absorb the local environment with a visit to the China Wall and Caroline Pool providing opportunities to connect with the land and country in a new way.  The visit to the China Wall was made possible through the assistance of Sciona Browne of the Better Life Project who informed the group of her involvement with the Burks Park Station Development a joint initiative with the WUNAN Foundation involving the purchase of land close to the town where young students have the opportunity to develop station skills including driver training, mustering, stock management and other training and apprenticeships.  A hostel on the property is being built this year by the young apprentices under close supervision.  This project reflects some of the inspiring initiatives taking place in the area.  The need for technical skills training for both male and female students remains paramount.

The visit to the beautiful and serene Caroline Pool occurred through the generosity of Dean Savoia Principal of Red Hill Wallawurru School who also welcomed the choir to share songs within this caring school community.

Barramundi Concert

Some of the children from Halls Creek had the wonderful opportunity of singing at the Barramundi Concert in Kununurra.  Special thanks to Morwenna, Larissa and the staff at the Halls Creek District High School who made this possible.  The commitment of all the school teachers to the Halls Creek children is excellent.  The audience of the Barramundi concert included 1400 people mostly Indigenous who warmly received the children singing with the choir.

Dental Care

With the group was Orthodontist and President of the Dental Board of WA, John Owen and his wife Jan, who sings with Madjitil Moorna.  Their contribution to the project was immense and will provide the best memories and outcome for many children… until the choir returns!  John and Jan (a dental nurse and homeopath) were able to check the teeth of over 150 children at school during that week.

Top kids fly with Captain John

With the incentive of a possible ride in the Owen’s helicopter, the children were happy to be examined.  Three lucky children, Reko, Hayley-Jade and Zenneth were taken up for a circuit of the town. 

38% of children were found to have serious dental problems needing urgent treatment.  Another 18% need treatment within six months.  This is just the beginning for the Owens as they are developing a team of dentists, hygienists and nurses who are keen to have the opportunity to work voluntarily in WA rather than overseas.  From Halls Creek, it is planned to expand this service to the outlying communities and the Fitzroy Valley.

A return visit in August 2009 with two other dental colleagues and nurses, is currently being planned.  It is hoped that one or two members of the choir will also return to assist with teacher and children liaison as no one really wants to undergo urgent dental care.  It is simple logic, that better health and educational outcomes can be achieved if the children are dentally and medically fit.  Very pleasing was one of the year six girls, Sarah, saying she would like to assist us with the younger children.  Robyn Long, Support Services Manager at the Halls Creek Hospital, was very happy to encourage her towards any work experience she wished.

Into the future

Madjitil Moorna is excited by possibilities for the future.  Opportunities for collaboration exist with the two schools, Kimberley TAFE, the Frail Aged Hostel, the Hospital, the Better Life Project, Jungarni Jutiya, the Shire of Halls Creek, the Police and other local agencies.  On the eve of National Reconciliation Week 2009, Reconciliation Australia's Chief Executive Paul O'Callaghan said there's never been a more conducive environment to building better relationships between Indigenous and other Australians.  One of the biggest barriers to making progress, however, is lack of trust and our inclination to stereotype one another.  The visit to Halls Creek has helped the choir members personally understand that just as they see themselves as open and welcoming and accepting so it is with the Halls Creek mob which made for easy working relationships.

It is the choir’s plan to pursue reconciliation by maintaining support and engagement with the Halls Creek Schools and community groups in a collaborative manner as desired. Pen pals have already been organised for some of the children and other connections secured.

Choir members are very keen to return in 2010. The choir is pleased to note that through this project in Halls Creek the vision for the choir is being met in a tangible way.

Sponsors

The Halls Creek project is made possible through the generous support of:


 
Healthway - Arts Sponsorship 

 
 

Jungarni Jutiya

who kindly provided the choir's transport to/from Kununurra and around Halls Creek.
 

 

Donate

Would you like to help
Madjitil Moorna
meet the costs
of future projects
with Halls Creek?

Then you can
donate through either:

Zig Zag Community
Arts Inc.
download form
 
or

Australia Business
Arts Foundation
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