We were absolutely delighted when, Yorta Yorta woman and Gawura Ambassador, Deborah Cheetham made a special request to come and hear our own Gawura Strings Group perform.

Used to performing with the great companies of the world Deborah is a renowned opera singer and very generously came with three members of her Ensemble Dutala and one member who came via Zoom.  Ensemble Dutala are Australia’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Chamber ensemble.

Deborah was keen to see own Indigenous strings group which started off with just two students three years ago and now is a quintet with students from Years 2,3,4 and 5.

Our hope is that one day we will have an Indigenous Strings Ensemble Group of a dozen members or more in the high school and our students are well on their way after the beautiful performances from Deborah, Jess, Baden, Aaron and Preston.

Deborah visited with Baden Hitchcock and Jess Hitchcock, two very talented performers from Saibai in the Torres Strait, and Aaron Wyatt, a Noongar man, and Preston Clifton, also a Noongar man from Albany.  Each member of the company performer for the students and listened to them perform.

Deborah’s performance was incredible and this very special visit is something our students will remember forever.

Here’s a video of their wonderful performance:

https://youtu.be/pu7s71G4ocM