Dreams, the window to our souls
Dreaming of the past, Dreaming of the present, Always dreaming
Dreaming of the future. Daydreaming, Always dreaming
Good dreams, bad dreams, real dreams.
~ excerpt from Dreaming Time by Andrew W.
This August, Red Room Poetry returned to Balund-a for another installment of Unlocked. Participants at Balund-a Diversionary Program (Tabulam) created poetry, music and art guided by Murri poet Lionel Fogarty and musician Joe Geia. Lionel and Joe are both pionering activists and leading spokespeople for Indigenous rights in all areas. They were supported by Bundjalung Elder Lewis Walker, Red Room Producer Rob Osbourne, as well as local artists from ACE Community Colleges.
The workshops
The program ran from 8-11 August with three days of workshops, culminating on the fourth day with the local community visiting Balund-a to celebrate the poetic, musical and artistic achievements of the participants in celebratory event. The music and poems were captured by Darren McElroy (Terra Nullius) of Bay FM.
Read the poems here
Read the reoport here
As part of Poetry in First Languages, poems and songs written during the week of workshops will be translated and recorded in Bundjalung with the support of local language holders and Elders.
About Balund-a
The Balund-a Program is an innovative residential diversionary program for male offenders over 18 years of age. Located at Tabulam, within the Bundjalung Nation, the program's aim is to reduce re-offending and enhance skills within a cultural and supportive community environment. The Aboriginal name, Bugilmah Burube Wullinje Balund-a roughly translates as "Be good now you have a second chance down by the river".
Koori Mail: Unlocking the best at Balund-a: Red Room Poetry's 2017 program at Balund-a
Justice Matters podcast by Rob Osbourne (Balund-a 2017)
Support Unlocked
Partners and Supporters
Unlocked is proudly supported by Geoff Ainsworth AM and Johanna Featherstone, Australia Council for the Arts, Create NSW and NSW Aboriginal Affairs and Ace Community Colleges.
