Our Kobi Arthur Morrison has been nominated for the YACWA - The Mission Australia Cultural Endeavours Award 2019! This award recognises young people who have overcome disadvantage and/or made a significant contribution to the community through a cultural endeavour, including drama, visual arts, digital and/or technology, dance, debating, literary pursuits or music.
Madjitil Moorna Coordinator, Jo Randell, penned this letter of support for consideration by the Board of Selectors.
"When Kobi was 11 years old, he sometimes came to choir practice with his mother Della Rae Morrison.
The choir is Madjitil Moorna – Singers of Aboriginal Songs – a unique community choir for all ages and abilities, led
by Aboriginal performers. Della Rae was a founding Music Director and I
coordinated the project for Zig Zag Community Arts, Kalamunda. In 2011
the choir became incorporated and in 2014, Madjitil Moorna Inc gained
Deductible Gift Recipient status.
By the time Kobi was 15, he had fallen in love with the guitar and was
learning how to accompany the choir’s songs, by watching George Walley,
much-loved Noongar songwriter, performer and choir leader. He gradually
gained skill and confidence and in 2014 Madjitil Moorna began to pay him
very modestly, to accompany rehearsals and performances. He also began
writing his own beautiful songs.
Kobi always had big dreams. He could see that the choir was not only
enriching the lives of the singers of all abilities and backgrounds but also
shaping attitudes and building understanding amongst audiences across
WA, through the songs and shared experiences. He dreamt of starting his
own ‘offspring’ choir, for young people. With a friend, in 2016, he began
what has become Koondarm (The Dreaming) Choir. Adopting the same ethos
as Madjitil Moorna*, young people from all backgrounds and abilities are
welcome to join rehearsals and when ready, to perform.
(*See the Objectives of Madjitil Moorna on a separate page.)
Koondarm Choir is much-loved, performing at festivals and events, singing
songs from Madjitil Moorna’s repertoire - often with very creative adaptation
and Noongar translation – and some of Kobi’s own beautiful songs."
Your MM moort are right behind you Kobi! In our eyes you've already won.