The St Kilda Baptist Reconciliation Action Group (RAP group) transformed our church into an intimate concert space. A full house of 120 people came and were blown away by the wonderful music and genuine community atmosphere and spirit of the afternoon. The Solstice Singers began with a rousing set of wonderful a Capella songs. Yirrmal joined the choir for a Yothu Yindi song Djapana which lifted the roof. Nigel Wearne followed with a set of his beautiful songs. During interval a sumptuous afternoon tea was enjoyed by all. In the second half the audience were totally spell bound by Yirrmal’s incredible voice and songs. You could hear a pin drop as he explained his time with the Marrma’Rom Two Worlds Foundation and his aim to return to Yirrkala as a future leader of his Yolngu community up in Arnhem land. A truly uplifting and inspiring afternoon was also a successful fundraiser. A total of $3400 has been donated to the Marrma’Rom Foundation (including $177 in afternoon tea and $230 in online donations)
Marrma’Rom Two Worlds foundation is an Indigenous education foundation based in Geelong at St Joseph’s College. ‘Marrma’ Rom’ translates to ‘two worlds, two cultures or two belief systems’ in Yolngu Matha, the language of the people in Arnhem Land. The Marrma’ Rom’ Two Worlds Foundation is a leadership program to empower the next generation of young men from North East Arnhem Land. The vision of this Foundation is to enable young men from Arnhem Land to walk confidently in ‘two worlds’. It’s a leadership program for secondary school boys who have already shown leadership ability and a commitment to education. The Foundation was established in 2011 by Cameron Begg and Melissa Patterson, former teachers at various schools in remote communities and current teachers in Geelong. Both are passionate about Indigenous Education and have a deep understanding of the issues remote communities face. The selected candidates will commit for at least one year for them to begin to walk in two worlds. When the boys choose to return to their
community, the next group of potential leaders will be selected by the
elders to enter the program.
Yirrmal Marika is a graduate from the programme and had remained in Geelong to continue his tertiary education in music. He is about to release his long awaited EP ‘Young Blood’ in November.-
Article by Judi Kenneally
Photography by Mark Moray – Wicked photography
Source: BUV News