"Jeanette Wormald is a great talent, she writes songs on different levels and with a passion, compassion and intellect that put her very clearly in the A grade." Ted Egan, AM, Australian bush balladeer and Outback icon
MUSIC BRINGS HEALING TO OUTBACK COMMUNITY - April 2008
-Photo by Andrew Weller. www.vividadventures.com Music is bringing a real sense of purpose to the remote Aboriginal community of Oak Valley in the far north western corner of South Australia . Struggling with the social issues that affect many Aboriginal communities, the Oak Valley residents are now beginning to find a voice and an identity through being encouraged to write and perform original music by singer songwriter, Jeanette Wormald. Nestled in ochre red sand dunes in Maralinga Tjarutja lands in the Great Victoria desert, Oak Valley community has been hosting visits by Jeanette since 2001. The project, which is called Maralinga Inma, (Inma means music celebration) encourages musicians to celebrate their own culture, language and identity through music. The Anangu, or people of the North Western desert regions, speak Pitjantjatjara or Yakuntjatjara. Over the seven years, Jeanette has seen the community at its best and worst, but the past two visits have shown her how crucial the music is to bring healing to the people. “These past two visits have been both the hardest, in terms of seeing a community really hurting, but also the most satisfying because I have witnessed the immediate benefits that music brings and its ability to lift spirits and build a sense of community,” she said. “Up until several years ago, Oak Valley, which is 1500km north west of Ceduna, was one of the strongest communities in Australia and proud of its track record. The men in particular, were encouraged in their leadership and to take pride in their cultural pursuits.” However, the loss of many key elders has decimated the community and eroded many of its strengths.  “I was called back late last year. The band were so relieved to see me, that one key member, Uncle Tommy Baker, had tears in his eyes. I realised I needed to get up there more often and after organising an Adelaide concert, promised them  I would return in April,” Jeanette said. The Maralinga Inma project, which is being co-ordinated by Jeanette, is being developed according to the community’s needs. One key focus is the keep the young men strong and drug and alcohol free and to build their self esteem through involvement in the band. A key outcome of the April visit is the need for more professional development. The band, previously known as The Desert Oaks, also renamed itself The Maralinga Desert Band. They want to find more performance opportunities outside the community and to release a CD of original songs. “Two of the band members, Dooey (Graham) Yatjitja and Clayton Queama are really keen to write their own songs and Uncle Tommy wants to improve his guitar playing skills,” Jeanette said. More young men in the community also want to join the band and have requested Jeanette to organise a visit by a lead guitarist to teach them.                                                                “On the final day of my visit after our community concert and BBQ the night before, I suggested a band meeting. They were so fired up and so excited by the future. It was wonderful to see,” Jeanette said. “One key request was for me to visit more often and stay in the community longer. They see me as family now and it is such a privilege to be welcomed into the community and see such fantastic results from this music project.” “The key to helping  Aboriginal communities thrive and survive,  is to keep the men strong and encourage a healthy self esteem. Music is a wonderful vehicle to help achieve this.”

 

Photo by Italo Vardaro.