THe ACKnowledgement Song Project
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Director of Music, Pia Harris together with Rachael Colmer, have been visiting schools in the Great Southern to teach over 2000 children to sing "Kinjarling" with Auslan, a new acknowledgement song by Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse commissioned by Breaksea and supported by Healthway. The song was inspired by conversations Gina Williams had with Menang Elders and is a song deeply connected to place. Many thanks to Christine Abbott for the Auslan consultation.
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On our second visit to the schools, Pia and Rachael, were joined by Artistic Director Matt Reuben James Ward, Edify filmmakers, artist Julianna Marie and Production Manager, Jenna Costello. The 2000 children participating in the project were filmed singing the song with Auslan at their schools.
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At the premiere of Aliwah Bardinar! the voices of 550 children were recorded singing "Kinjarling."
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The children sang the song with all their hearts, truly inspired and connected to the song. Having Gina and Guy perform with them was such a special and memorable experience. One that we hope will stay with them forever.
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This film, featuring the 2000 children will premiere at this year's City of Albany presents New Years' Eve Picnic & Fireworks at Anzac Peace Park - don't miss it!
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Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse pictured with children of the Great Southern - image by Nic Duncan
The Albany Project Update!
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Breaksea's collaboration with West Australian Opera had a wonderful development day at the end of June. Breaksea Youth Writers' Group & the creative team went on country with Uncle Larry Blight and spent the afternoon writing and presenting the first draft for our premiere in October 2026. Uncle Larry Blight and Aunty Glenda Williams generously shared their knowledge and inspired all of us greatly.
Since, Matt Reuben James Ward has been developing the script further, with first drafts of musical themes by Jarred Wall starting to emerge.
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We are delighted to be collaborating with West Australian Opera and are thoroughly enjoying the creative process.
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Aliwah Bardinar!
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Aliwah Bardinar! SUCCESSful premiere
Bursting with music, colour and heart, the show delighted audiences of all ages. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Albany Entertainment Centre for this very special premiere.
Aliwah Bardinar! At Awesome Arts FesTival
We are super excited to share that Aliwah Bardinar! will be featured in this year's AWESOME Arts Festival! Thia vibrant production willl bring its magic to Perth audiences for three days only: Tues 30 September, Wed 1 October and Thurs 2 October 11am & 1:30pm at Heath Ledger Theatre (State Theatre Centre WA). ​
About Aliwah Bardinar!
From the multi-award winning composers of Wanjoo and Koolbardi wer Wardong, comes a new children’s production - Aliwah Bardinar! (Look-out Rosella!). Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse’s new production tells the sweet Nyttiny (creation) story of how the Bardinar (Western Rosella) got its colours. Presented in both Noongar language and English, the work introduces audiences to an ancient language and story featuring an array of barna (animals) from across beautiful Noongar boodja. Premiering in Albany & Perth in 2025, over the next few years, this production will tour Noongar country promoting Noongar language and celebrating creativity.
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First Phase Development
Aliwah Bardinar! began its journey in 2024, as a 3 month multi-art form residency at Hilton Primary School culminating in a full school production. Aliwah Bardinar! continued with multi-artform workshops and a concert featuring performers Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse with brand new music from Aliwah Bardinar! at the 2024 Awesome Arts Festival. The creative team were inspired by community engaged workshops with children, which will inform the design and development of costumes and set. Our first phase development engaged with over 550 children.
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About the Creators
Wanjoo Pty Ltd – is the company of multi-award-winning musical duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. Wanjoo is firmly in the business of building a legacy of sharing Noongar language, through music, storytelling, songwriting and performance. Wanjoo has been at the forefront of the musical revival of Noongar language, releasing four albums, writing two major Festival works (Koorlangka and Koort), two books and two critically acclaimed operas for West Australian Opera (Koolbardi wer Wardong & Wundig wer Wilura). They coordinate the ever-popular Wanjoo workshops, seeing up to 3000 school children a week at any given time and run Noongar singing masterclasses for adults.
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Jarred Wall pictured as Djidi-Djidi (Willy Wagtail) - costume design by Michelle Ward - image by Andrew J Clarke.
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