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Out There Mullewa

In 2009 the Out There program consisted of four residencies led by professional artists Derek Nannup, Tammy Anderson, Binyam Alemu (Biz ) and Scott Griffiths (MC Optamus), in Mullewa community (100km East of Geraldton).

The residencies focused on developing skills in theatre, music and comedy and a desire for the young people to voice their thoughts and share their life with the wider community.

Country Arts WA worked in partnership with Mullewa Community and young people to create three songs, Mullewa Way, What We Play and Watch Out. All three songs tell the story of the young peoples' life in Mullewa. The songs were written and recorded by the young people with assistance from the professional artists working on the project. 

22 young people participated in the residencies, with a core group of 9 young people working with the artists over the four residencies and recording several hip-hop tracks and music videos.

The RYADO formally exited the community in late 2009. Beyond this the RYADO will provide ongoing support to the Mullewa Community and to the young people from the Country Arts WA office.

Some highlights of the Out There program in 2009:

Circus in the Mid West

The Out There residencies started when local Perth comedian and circus guru Derek Nannup travelled to Mullewa with Melbourne-based actress Tammy Anderson to work with the young people. Derek ran workshops in circus, dance, movement, writing and storytelling. He left the young people with learned skills which they would develop over the course of 2009.

Theatre Workshops

Tammy formed what became a strong mentor relationship with the Mullewa young people. She visited Mullewa on a regular basis throughout 2009 to deliver workshops in performance, storytelling, song writing and recording.

Mullewa Way

Mullewa Way was the first song recorded by the young people. Melbourne based hip-hop artist Binyam Alemu along with Tammy worked with the young people to create and record the song and film clip.

Mullewa Way was aired on Radio Mama, Geraldton's indigenous radio station, and continues to receive airtime. The young people have established a strong link with the radio station and will continue to work with the Radio Mama presenters in 2010.

The Mullewa Way film clip was screened to a packed audience at the Sunshine Festival's main stage in October. The Festival is an annual event held in Geraldton, celebrating culture and the arts from across the Mid West region.

Mullewa Way was very well received and the young people had requests for the purchase of the DVD after the screening.

Hip Hop Contract with MC Optamus

Throughout the fourth residency the young people were mentored by seminal Australian hip-hop artist MC Optamus who encouraged the group to enter into a pseudo hip-hop contract.

The young people formed two groups: Up State featuring Jack Collard, Sam Geerling, Kieran Crudelli, Luke Young and Jarren Comeagain and MWMC featuring Jenny Anderson, Brianne Ryan and Kelsey Anderson.

The two groups worked with MC Optamus and in a fortnight, wrote, recorded and mastered songs. Once recorded and CDs were produced the young people went about designing their label and promoting their music and a CD launch around the community and region.

Check out Country Arts WA's YouTube channel to hear songs created in 2009 by the young people in Mullewa with visiting artsits www.youtube.com/user/countryartswa 

Out There 2009 was supported by Department of Culture and the Arts, Australia Council - Community Partnerships, Mid West Development Commission, the Ian Potter Foundation. Country Arts WA wishes to acknowledge project partners the Shire of Mullewa and the Midwest Employment & Economic Development Aboriginal Corporation.