Big crowd: GSSC students gathered to watch the show.
Photo by
Caitlyn Grant
Greater Shepparton Secondary College students received a performance and some pearls of wisdom from Isaiah Firebrace for Harmony Day.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Monday, March 21, marked Harmony Day nationally, and concluded the school’s Harmony Week, celebrating the student population representing more than 27 cultures.
On stage: Isaiah Firebrace in action.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara artist Isaiah Firebrace spoke casually with the students on his rise to fame, addressing the difficulties of pursuing the arts in a regional area.
At only 22, Mr Firebrace has won The X-Factor competitive singing TV show, represented the nation in Eurovision and is making waves advocating for Indigenous rights.
In conversation: A workshop was hosted as part of Harmony Week.
The artist captivated his audience, as not so long ago, he was one of them.
“Five years ago, I was in Echuca, but the moment I put myself out there and started believing in what I could do, my whole world changed,” he said.
Performing: Isaiah Firebrace performs to the crowd.
Photo by
Caitlyn Grant
Speaking candidly, he gave insight into a life filled with music, how it filled the void of living in a single parent household and how it connected him with his culture.
“As young Indigenous people, it’s so important to know who you are, where you’re from, where your family is from, know who you can connect to,” he said.
Together: Isaiah Firebrace with students from GSSC.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“Out there in the big world, it’s hard, I know it’s hard, but it’s important to feel that connection because I lost it a little bit, and I had to realise that and come back to it.”
Mr Firebrace’s visit capped the week of activities, performances and workshops at the school.
While ending on a high with a performance, his visit served as a timely reminder of how the education system is lacking in First Nations representation.
He said presenting workshops to students made him realise the full extent of the importance of First Nations education in schools.
Mr Firebrace started a petition on implementing compulsory First Nations history curriculums into Australian classrooms.
Captivated: The audience looks on at the workshop.
Photo by
Caitlyn Grant
With just under 300,000 signatures, he presented the petition to Parliament House in November last year where it was accepted by Federal Shadow Education Minister Tanya Plibersek.
“I’m just so amazed people believe in the same thing that I did and even had the same experiences as I did in school, where there wasn't that representation of the true history and Aboriginal culture,” he said.
“For me, it’s just a really proud moment, I just hope we get to see it happen.”
17°C