Australian Girls Choir take part in Lockhart River travel exchange
A 12-strong cohort of Australia’s most talented young singers have spent a week on a cultural exchange program in Far North Queensland. Here’s what they were doing.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Nothing unites people quite like music.
This sentiment rang true for members of the Australian Girls Choir and their Far North Indigenous counterparts this week as they took part in a reverse travel exchange program.
The program, facilitated by not-for profit organisation Girls From Oz, involved 12 members of the AGC to travel to Lockhart River and experience a week on country, with local schoolchildren acting as their guides.
Year 12 student Brooklyn Cate from Sydney said it was exciting to meet the people they had raised money for in the past and put faces to names.
“It’s so cool to see such a different culture and it’s exciting to meet the girls we’ve been raising money for,” Miss Cate said.
“It’s inspiring to see them because they don’t have as much as us in the cities and they’re so happy and love to sing with us.”
Lockhart River State School student Quintezzah Dorman said she enjoyed showing the girls how to make grass skirts and bush tucker.
“We showed the girls how to make jaji (grass skirts) and bush tucker,” she said.
Despite not liking singing, Miss Dorman said she was happy to be involved in the exchange.
The Australian Girls Choir and Lockhart River State School students engaged in cultural and musical workshops including singing practice ahead of a combined performance at the local church on Friday night.
Year 12 student Jacinta Ellis from Perth, who is also a Girls From Oz ambassador, encouraged younger members from the AGC to join the program.
“Keep an open mind and have no expectations when coming here,” she said.
“It’s completely different from what you’re expecting and you’ll learn so much.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Australian Girls Choir take part in Lockhart River travel exchange
Named: FNQ’s best mullet winner
A Tablelands toddler has been crowned FNQ’s best mullet winner, growing out his locks in a touching tribute to his late dad. His story, here.
VIDEO: Group ‘forced to dig hole’ in alleged violent attack
Body-cam footage captures the dramatic moment police raid a caravan in the state’s Far North, after an alleged violent attack during which five people were threatened and forced to dig a hole. WATCH THE VIDEO.