| | Desert Pea Media is excited to announce that we have partnered with the Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and will be facilitating our program Break it Down - Community Conversations around Mental Health in five communities across the region in 2019. Over the next nine months we will be working in Bowen, Kurunda, Palm Island, Lockhart River and Thursday island, using music and film to create real conversations with young people, as a catalyst for positive social change. The Break it Down program is a community led Original Nation youth mental health literacy program, focusing on wellbeing and drug and alcohol prevention. The program is made up of a series of collaborative engagement workshops and content development activities which result in production of professional media content. The activities create inter-generational dialogue, and help participants to articulate an innovative conversation and break down stigmas attached to mental health. “All of us here at DPM are extremely excited, and deeply honoured to be invited to listen, share and create with the Original Nations communities of Far North Queensland. The ‘Break It Down’ initiative is a vital opportunity for communities to redefine the language of mental health and wellbeing, and drive the conversation in a way that is culturally relevant, appropriate and available to young people and community members in the region. We look forward to being on country, to connecting with the mob and creating some magic together”. Toby Finlayson, CEO. |
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Click on the image above to watch the new Barinji Soldiers music video. We're so excited to present 'Heartbeat' by The Wilcannia Barkindji Soldiers - a group of incredibly talented young people Wilcannia in remote Western NSW. This epic haunting production fuses trap, hip hop, and synth vibes to communicate a powerful call to action to protect country. It is a message from the people of the river, the Barkindji community in Wilcannia to respect the Barka (#DarlingRiver). It is a challenge to all Australians to make our voices heard and push for positive change in the sustainable management of the biggest river system in the country, the Murray-Darling River, from the young people most affected and on the frontline of its destruction. 'Country is my medicine, fire is light - wiimpitcha murndy, seven stars in the night Country is my heartbeat, water is life, If the baaka stops flowin’ no-one gonna survive' 'Heartbeat' was co-written by this group of talented young people, community members and Elders from the local community - with support from the DPM team, Wilcannia High School Staff and acclaimed music producer Carlo Santone (Blue King Brown/Nattali Rize) over a five day period during DPM's storytelling workshop process. The DPM team feels deeply honored to learn, share, create and build friendships and connection with the Barkindji community in Wilcannia. These projects not only uplift and inspire audiences and community members, but everybody involved. These are friendships and experiences that are deeply valued and respected. This project was funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and NSW Health. Project managed by Wilcannia Aboriginal Lands Council and staff at Wilcannia Central School. |
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The DPM crew is back on the road for the first of many exciting projects in 2019! This week we’ve been welcomed with warmth and generosity by the Cunnamulla Community in South West Queensland. Over the first few days at Cunnamulla P-12 State School the community members and young people shared with us many stories of togetherness, pride as well as the difficulties that they’ve faced. We’ve seen that this community comes together in such a powerful way to celebrate culture and local pride but also to support each other through the hard times. The area has been in drought for many years now and a big downpour of rain would bring much relief to the Cunnamulla economy and community. The lyric-writing day was a standout for the DPM team, with us all reflecting upon how everyone got involved and contributed to lyrics, with some students also sharing some of their personal poetry and rhymes to be included in the song. We ended the week with two big days of filming out under the hot Cunnamulla sun. We visited many of the iconic locations around town like the Cunnamulla Fella, the weir, the boat ramp and the Yumba. The footy field was another highlight, where the Cunnamulla Rams will face off against the Charleville comets this weekend. We have been inspired by the young people’s commitment to the project and willingness to share their experiences and stories about living in Cunnamulla with us - thank you to you all for your smiles and courage. DPM would also like to extend our gratitude to the staff of Cunnamulla P-12 State School for their support, to our funding partners, Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health (CACH) and Strong Families Strong Communities (Paroo Shire Council), thank you for the care and hard work that you have put in. Another shout out to the Hope Project for their instrumental role in making this project happen. Now for a swim in the majestic Warrego River! |
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Click on the image above to watch Uncle Les's yarn. "Know that you come from a proud people. Our mob fought and died for our country, our lands. We defended our country, we defended our homes. We defended our families. Our mob need to know...." Each month we will be featuring a short film from Western NSW as part of a series called, 'Community Conversations around Mental Health', funded by the Western NSW Primary Health Network. This month is Uncle Les's yarn - 'This is Your Time', from Wiradjiri country, Cowra, NSW. When you sit down for a yarn with Uncle Les Coe, you walk away with deepest sense of pride in who you are spiritually and culturally. There is a raw power in his words, and his way of sharing them with you, that plants your feet firmly on the ground. |
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COEDIE OCHRE WARRAH MCCARTHY - CO-WRITER/TRAINEE FACILITATOR Coedie's name means 'The boy of many colours who came in the falling rain', and his people are the Yidinji and Bar Barrum people of North QLD. Coedie is a multi-talented visionary who is pushing boundaries and his quest is to bring the old ways of his Ancestors into the new age. With ten years of traditional dancing, a Cert III in Music and a Bachelor of Music Production - he is an artist, musician, filmmaker, editor, presenter, songwriter, producer, traditional/ modern dancer, mentor and cultural ambassador. His tribe and hip hop act Indigenoise have wowed audiences as diverse as Investing For Good Conference in Sydney to the Burning Man Festival in the Nevada Desert, USA. |
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Create your own song using one of DPM Music Producer Hazy's exclusive beats. "This beat reminds me of conversations and friendships I've made with many Elders in community - mixing old school with the new school - this jazz/trap beat has all those elements. Always respect ur Elders". Click here to download your beats. |
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MUSIC GRANTS FOR APRA AMCOS MEMBERS Music Grants of up to $10 000 are available for APRA AMCOS Members to fund activities such as projects, special events, small festivals, awards programs, mentoring projects, craft development workshops, showcases and core funding for peak music organisations. Applications close 31st May, 2019. More info here. SCREEN AUSTRALIA INDIGENOUS DEPARTMENT COOK2020: OUR RIGHT OF REPLY There is a current opportunity for storytellers and film-makers to contribute a short film for an anthology of vital Indigenous perspectives and right of reply from across the pacific in Cook2020: Our Right of Reply. Check it out here. The Screen Australia Indigenous Department also has a number of ongoing opportunities for emerging and experienced Original Nation writers, storytellers and filmmakers. This includes for Indigenous Feature, TV Drama, and Documentary development. More info here. ARTS QLD INDIVIDUALS FUND Emerging and established artists and cultural workers in Queensland can apply for up to $10,000 to participate in professional and career development opportunities. Applications are open now, and close on 12 April 2019. More info here. |
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By joining our monthly giving program – Step Up – you will help us to re-engage hundreds of marginalised young people with community, culture and country. Desert Pea Media Association Incorporated is a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) so all donations can be considered tax deductible. Just click on the link to donate. |
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