History of Koorlong

Koorlong of today grew naturally out of the Madjitil Moorna Choir (MM), with choir visits to schools starting in 2007. The name Koorlong was chosen more recently by choir co-director Kobi Morrison, who could see the huge impact that a well-run project could have in spreading language and joy in schools.

From the beginning, polished performers Della Rae Morrison and Jessie Lloyd led school performances with choir members joining in. These became more and more interactive as there was a growing appetite for learning First Nations songs in schools.

The potential for building bridges through singing in ancient languages from across Australia was clearly understood by teachers. Students found it very cool, especially First Nations students, who were proud to be represented in a new and very joyous way.

Early on MM created a small songbook of seven songs with CD which was shared with teachers across the Perth metro area. It was very popular.

In 2009 the choir began an extraordinary relationship with the people of Halls Creek, East Kimberley, WA. We were invited by community leader and teacher, Doreen Green to come and share songs with the children in her town. As Doreen said, ‘These kids will never have seen anything like this before. They’ll love it!’ She was right.

In this first year, 30 self-funded choir members and supporters travelled to Halls Creek for a week of rehearsals and preparations for a big community concert in the park. Music Directors Della Rae Morrison and George Walley proved to be magnetic with the kids, sharing their songs, love and understanding. Together we brought a huge wave of positive energy into the community and the effect on the choir was quite profound.

Young filmmaker Mat de Koning travelled with the choir and made this 25 min documentary of that first amazing visit. Harmony in Halls Creek

We knew we needed to return. Each year for five years, choir members led by Della Rae and George visited Halls Creek. With each visit MM engaged with more people in the community and in 2012 they held their first Nguyuru Waaringarrem Music Festival and invited MM to perform with dozens of kids on the big stage!

The success of the workshops in Halls Creek gave us the confidence to offer more school workshops on Noongar Country, focussing on Noongar songs.

In 2015 and supported by highly respected Elder and Noongar language teacher, Roma Winmar, MM invited schools to be part of a combined performance at the Kalamunda Zig Zag Festival. First Nations artists Candice Lorrae Dempsey and Kristel Kickett, Tori Oakley and Kobi Morrison visited many schools. They taught hundreds of children a set of songs, including Noongar language songs and the ‘Halls Creek Rodeo Song’. This had been written by George Walley and upper primary students in Halls Creek.

At the Festival, students and teachers from five schools performed with the Madjitil Moorna choir in Stirk Park. Della Rae co-led the combined choir as Guest Director. It was spine-tingling for audience and singers!

Over the years, many Noongar artists have been involved in presenting workshops through the ‘Noongar Songs in Schools’ project, the forerunner of Koorlong.

Aunty Josie Wowolla Boyle was a strong mentor with her infectious laugh and dynamic performance spirit. Workshop presenters included well-known performers and artists Beccy Garlett, Jade Dolman and Phil Bartlett as well as soulful singers Candice Lorrae Lloyd (Dempsey) and Kristel Kickett (The Merindas). Meanwhile, Kobi Morrison was becoming central to the team with his guitar accompaniment and gentle, engaging way with the kids. Candice and Kristel coached emerging artists Tori Oakley, Leonie Wilkes and Veronica Kirby who also led Noongar song workshops in schools between 2016 and 2018.

Songs were generously shared by many local songwriters keen to share language and pride in First Nations heritage. The choir is enormously grateful to them for these gifts that keep on giving!

Candice Lorrae played a key role in bringing these songs to the attention of teachers. In 2017, funded by MM she compiled the first volume of MM’s Aboriginal Songbook for Schools and Communities. Eleven First Nations songwriters contributed a total of 18 songs for this songbook. Three years later, she compiled the second volume featuring 13 new songs plus Noongar language additions to five of the songs in Volume 1.

The Halls Creek Rodeo Song was a favourite both in Halls Creek and around Perth and in 2017 it was made into a book, illustrated by kids of Halls Creek.

Madjitil Moorna is extremely proud of these publications which have been so well received by teachers and community leaders, working to build pride and understanding in their schools.

2019 saw a big rise in demand for workshops – 56 in total, including many in regional schools. Kobi Morrison emerged as the indispensable and much-loved leader of Koorlong, along with emerging artists Keira Gentle, Cezera Critti-Schnaars and Sara Terry. Music teacher Kylie Walpole took on the role of project manager providing loving support to the team. Founding MM Director Della Rae Morrison brings invaluable ongoing cultural support.

Elders and cultural guides who have contributed to the strength of Madjitil Moorna (and therefore Koorlong) are greatly appreciated. They include:
Patrons, Deborah Cheetham AO and Dr Richard Walley AM;
Elders Roma Yibiyung Winmar, Karl Mourach, Josie Wowolla Boyle, Doreen Green and Marie Taylor; Co-Founder Della Rae Morrison as well as George Walley, Pat Oakley and many guest artists.

Key volunteers who have run the administration of MM including grants and finances over the years include Treasurer Pete and Coordinator Jo Randell, Secretaries Pauline Vigus and Rochelle Cole and many other precious and skilled committee members. Dozens of dedicated choir members have handled bookings and rehearsal operations and whatever needs doing. From its beginnings, Koorlong has been funded by the choir’s performances across WA.

Choir members are hugely proud of the Koorlong team which is now poised to run more independently, reaching more schools and helping to shape the lives of children, for the better.