Mission Songs Project by Jessie Lloyd

Songs that speak of the daily lives of the First Peoples who were relocated to the missions.

Jessie Lloyd first became curious about the songs from the Aboriginal reserves, or the mission days, when she heard her Aunties singing an old tune about the boat that used to transport the stolen generation children and those removed under the Aborigines Protection Act. Searching for the secular songs that were sung after church, she explores the day-to-day life on the missions, settlements and reserves through music.

Lloyd will be accompanied by two of Australia's finest Indigenous vocalists to take you on a musical journey across Australia as they share songs from this ‘missions era’. The acoustic trio will engage through intimate and personal storytelling, moving harmonies and historical insights.

Using humour and truth, they will share the voices of elders as they would around a warm campfire or kitchen table to present an authentic narrative of Aboriginal Australia.

"Profoundly moving...the entire collection is sublime." - The Australian

"Islander rhythms, campfire country and defiant humour celebrate simple joys. Melancholy ballads chart a journey of blood, sweat and tears…you’ll almost hear the kettle boil as a closing home recording of the elders invites us to sit down with these unsung survivors." - 4.5 stars, Fairfax Media

You can book your tickets in person at RPAC Box Office, 2–16 Middle Street, Cleveland or by phone on 3829 8131 or online.