During the late 80's,as a newly arrived immigrant I was working in a specialist Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatric service in Melbourne. I attended an outreach meeting with Aboriginal people in Richmond as a member of a group of professionals, part of a strategy to offer assistance in the reduction of youth suicide in their community. We were sat around a large circular table in some sort of boardroom. It was my first ever meeting with Aboriginal folk, & I was very aware that whilst there as 'experts' we really didn't have a clue about aboriginal culture, so the learning process was as much ours as theirs. It was a struggle.
Half-way through the meeting the chairperson announced unexpectedly "We gonna have a break now, we gotta fella who wants to sing us a song". This was far from the norm in meetings such as this, but we were happy to go with the flow. In walks this fella with a guitar, took a seat at the table & commences to play & sing. It was Archie Roach & the song was 'Took the Children away'. It was the first I ever heard of the stolen generation & it was very moving. One song said more than all the talking had done. It was a turning point both in the meeting & in my life, & a significant influence upon the Australian I became. A year or so later Archie released his first album & the rest is history. Many years later I got to thank him in person for that day at the anniversary of the Nitmiluk handback, where he was a part of the the then touring Black Arm Band show. He has always been with me throughout my Australian journey & will remain so.
Sadly I will not be able to attend his State Memorial Service in Melbourne on 15th December, but I will be there via the wonders of the internet. The memorial will be live streamed.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 2nd of November 2022 11:54:18 AM
Wannabe nomad said
01:28 PM Nov 3, 2022
RickJ said
03:31 PM Nov 3, 2022
.
-- Edited by RickJ on Thursday 3rd of November 2022 03:32:28 PM
Magnarc said
08:59 AM Nov 4, 2022
Edited by Magnarc.
86GTS said
09:14 AM Nov 4, 2022
No disrespect to either man but I found that listening to Archie & Gurrumul was quite a depressing exercise.
Cuppa said
09:34 AM Nov 4, 2022
86GTS wrote:
No disrespect to either man but I found that listening to Archie & Gurrumul was quite a depressing exercise.
Fair enough - We all experience things in our own way.
I've heard folk say similar about Leonard Cohen too. I always found both to be uplifting in different ways.
In Archie's case I think it had something to do with him having overcome adversity (which in itself was depressing) & doing something very positive with that experience.
86GTS said
10:30 AM Nov 4, 2022
Cuppa wrote:
86GTS wrote:
No disrespect to either man but I found that listening to Archie & Gurrumul was quite a depressing exercise.
Fair enough - We all experience things in our own way.
I've heard folk say similar about Leonard Cohen too. I always found both to be uplifting in different ways.
In Archie's case I think it had something to do with him having overcome adversity (which in itself was depressing) & doing something very positive with that experience.
That's why I don't listen to Leonard Cohen either. I've never been one to search for the meaning of life in song lyrics. As with most things in life its up to individual taste, live & let live.
Aussie1 said
12:05 PM Nov 4, 2022
As with most things in life its up to individual taste, live & let live.
Yep, we see a lot of evidence of that here on the forum eh
86GTS said
02:05 PM Nov 4, 2022
Aussie1 wrote:
As with most things in life its up to individual taste, live & let live.
Yep, we see a lot of evidence of that here on the forum eh
Tons.
dorian said
05:00 AM Nov 5, 2022
Last year when Berejiklian awarded a state funeral to a fashion designer, I thought "what?".
It's interesting that there are two Les Murrays in the list.
Possum3 said
06:47 AM Nov 5, 2022
That "Fashion Designer" brought affordable Fashion to the masses - Employed hundreds of people - Brought Australian design kudos to the World - And acted as a mentor for many students in the clothing industry.
The awarding of a State Funeral costs very little, is recognition for philanthropic achievement and allows many Australians to reflect on those of Great Personage.
During the late 80's,as a newly arrived immigrant I was working in a specialist Child, Adolescent & Family Psychiatric service in Melbourne. I attended an outreach meeting with Aboriginal people in Richmond as a member of a group of professionals, part of a strategy to offer assistance in the reduction of youth suicide in their community. We were sat around a large circular table in some sort of boardroom. It was my first ever meeting with Aboriginal folk, & I was very aware that whilst there as 'experts' we really didn't have a clue about aboriginal culture, so the learning process was as much ours as theirs. It was a struggle.
Half-way through the meeting the chairperson announced unexpectedly "We gonna have a break now, we gotta fella who wants to sing us a song". This was far from the norm in meetings such as this, but we were happy to go with the flow. In walks this fella with a guitar, took a seat at the table & commences to play & sing. It was Archie Roach & the song was 'Took the Children away'. It was the first I ever heard of the stolen generation & it was very moving. One song said more than all the talking had done. It was a turning point both in the meeting & in my life, & a significant influence upon the Australian I became. A year or so later Archie released his first album & the rest is history. Many years later I got to thank him in person for that day at the anniversary of the Nitmiluk handback, where he was a part of the the then touring Black Arm Band show. He has always been with me throughout my Australian journey & will remain so.
Sadly I will not be able to attend his State Memorial Service in Melbourne on 15th December, but I will be there via the wonders of the internet. The memorial will be live streamed.
Details at this link. https://www.vic.gov.au/state-memorial-service-uncle-archie-roach-am
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 2nd of November 2022 11:54:18 AM
.
-- Edited by RickJ on Thursday 3rd of November 2022 03:32:28 PM
Edited by Magnarc.
Fair enough - We all experience things in our own way.
I've heard folk say similar about Leonard Cohen too. I always found both to be uplifting in different ways.
In Archie's case I think it had something to do with him having overcome adversity (which in itself was depressing) & doing something very positive with that experience.
That's why I don't listen to Leonard Cohen either. I've never been one to search for the meaning of life in song lyrics. As with most things in life its up to individual taste, live & let live.
Yep, we see a lot of evidence of that here on the forum eh
Tons.
Last year when Berejiklian awarded a state funeral to a fashion designer, I thought "what?".
Here is a list of the more recent ones in NSW:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/about-nsw/state-services
It's interesting that there are two Les Murrays in the list.
The awarding of a State Funeral costs very little, is recognition for philanthropic achievement and allows many Australians to reflect on those of Great Personage.