Edwin Sitt

(Far left) Cyndy Moody, Moorditj Maaman Men's Group and (far right) Kobi Arthur Morrison performing Lullabies Swan at Mandoon Estate

OVERVIEW

The soothing sound of CAN’s award-winning music, art and language program, Noongar Lullabies made its way to Midland Junction Arts Centre in 2024.

The program, which saw community members from the Moorditj Maaman men’s group write and record their own original lullabies, was led by Noongar language facilitator and singer/songwriter Cyndy Moody, Bibbulmun Noongar composer and musician Kobi Arthur Morrison and Noongar artist and craft facilitator, Sharyn Egan, alongside CAN’s Community Development Officer Lidia Castro.

A long time CAN collaborator, Cyndy took part in CAN’s Noongar Lullabies program back in 2020. The song she wrote and recorded, Ngany Koorlangka / My Kid, went on to win the 2021 WAM Country Song of the Year. In 2022 she was the lead language facilitator for Lullabies Northam. Kobi, a musician, songwriter and choir leader in Boorloo (Perth), made his Lullabies debut with 2023/24’s Lullabies Belmont program. Sharyn, also a former Lullabies participant, is a renowned artist, working across painting, weaving and sculpture. She ran doll-making workshops with the participants, a form of cultural transmission, encouraging strength of identity and pride.

Lullabies Swan was presented in partnership with Indigo Junction, Midland Junction Arts Centre and the City of Swan. Noongar Lullabies brings Noongar families and community members together to share Noongar language and songwriting techniques. Under the gentle guidance of the lead artists, participants are supported to write and record their own original lullaby, creating a legacy they can pass onto future generations.