TTTT - Moorambilla Voices, NSW

Welcome to FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together podcast – about how people in remote, rural and regional Australia helped one another pull through the harshest droughts in living memory.

In this episode, we hear how the haunting sounds of the Moorambilla Voices have united far western New South Wales communities through a decade of drought.

We chat to community leaders about the challenges they faced, how they responded, what impact their project had and the legacy it left. They share their stories and lessons learnt, as we all learn how to cope with an increasingly dry climate.

Over 19 years, Moorambilla Voices has shown what can be achieved in the throes of some of the harshest climate challenges.

When townships in far west NSW were wondering how they could survive, children from primary through to high school created world class arts programs, giving hope when there was little left.

It was so successful some of the programs were woven into the New South Wales curriculum, and the high school choir performed at the Sydney Opera House.

Founder and artistic director Michelle Leonard, executive director Jacob Williams, and former ensemble manager of 18 years Annie Berrell tell us in this episode about how the sense of purpose and joy that Moorambilla Voices gave at a time of such hardship was important not only for the children taking part, but for the mothers, fathers, extended families, and wider community.

This project was funded by FRRR - the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal– thanks to partnerships with philanthropy, government and business, and the generosity of individuals, all of whom share the vision of a vibrant, resilient, sustainable and empowered rural Australia.

FRRR acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of Jaara country at Bendigo, where the organisation is headquartered. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations around this vast country, and pay respect to their Elders past and present, and to the continuation of the custodial, cultural and educational practices of Australia’s First Peoples.

GET IN TOUCH
The Tackling Tough Times Together podcast was produced for FRRR, the only charity focussed on building the social and economic strength of remote, rural and regional Australia. It was funded in partnership with the Australian government.

For further information on anything shared in this podcast, or if you have a project and would like to apply for funding, or you would like to support these kinds of projects, head to www.frrr.org.au or call 1800 170 020.

REDITS
Host: Nance Haxton
Production Assistance: Michael Adams
Interviewees: Michelle Leonard, Founder, Moorambilla Voices; Jacob Williams, Executive Director, Moorambilla Voices; Annie Berrell, former Ensemble Manager, Moorambilla Voices
The children of Moorambilla Voices.

RESOURCES
FRRR - www.frrr.org.au
Moorambilla Voices - moorambilla.com/