Warrnambool musicians depicted in Warrnibald (Archiebool) portraits 2020

Portrait of Andre Pangrazio by Merran Koren

Andre Peter Pangrazio born 1993. Growing up in Warrnambool Andre started playing guitar and creating his own compositions when about 12 years old. His later works represent an amalgam of experiences with other young musicians as he continues to experiment with melody and time. To give the pieces shape, Andre weaves his own created narratives and utilises the many textures within the guitar and other instruments. Andre’s music creates a continuum between diverse emotions. The absence of lyrics allows listeners to explore their own journey. An exciting artistic experience. Recently Andre was chosen as an emerging Composer by Screen Works Australia. He is being mentored by Petra Salsjo, Composer and classical Pianists in Melbourne.

Portrait of Bill Struth by Jo Merriman
Bill Struth (aka Peter or Snorky) is a longstanding volunteer at basketball and football clubs and currently at local community radio station 3WAY-FM.  Bill has an unbroken 27 years of service at 3WAY-FM, as a program presenter, committee member and President of the station.  He has quietly gone about these roles and has contributed fully by fundraising and training/mentoring new volunteers for the station’s programs. Bill comes from generations of community minded citizens:  his great, great grandfather Alexander was a local pioneer and his grandfather Alex Struth was Warrnambool Mayor (1953).  Bill is a loved and respected community member and all round lovely bloke!

Portrait of Des Bunyon by Karen Richards
Des Bunyon is simultaneously a quiet force and a harmony for Warrnambool. His contributions are many and likely far more than anyone knows. Des is an adventurer, musician, visual artist, film lover, art curator, working bee contributor, artist, pet lover, art collector, song writer, advocate, enthusiast and behind the scenes contributor as well as life partner to the similarly wonderful Helen. Des can be found at openings, performances, film, markets and community consultations. His friendly smile and enchanting stories are a welcome encounter. His presence and beautiful singing voice weave this place together.

Portrait of Didirri Peters by Rachael Robb
Music can give us the means to connect with others, to articulate our emotions and help us shape the narrative of our lives. Didirri’s contribution to the South West and beyond is more than cultural, it is also as an artist who is unafraid, honestly exploring challenging themes whilst remaining humble and relatable. A difficult undertaking and so needed especially now. Despite music being integral to us individually and collectively its contribution to society is still vastly undervalued. Nonetheless, artists like Didirri will keep creating music, as conduits their songs gift us the means to remember who we are.

portrait of Eddy Boyle by Jenni Larsen

Eddy Boyle has accomplished more in 30 years than many people do in a lifetime. He’s been playing harmonica since he was four, influenced by his grandfather. The many highlights in his career so far include: performing at festivals and venues around the country, releasing two albums of original tracks, television appearances, teaming with artists like Chris Wilson, Joe Camilleri and more. His musical knowledge is incredible! Ask him anything about the blues and he’ll give you every detail off the top of his head! His passion is evident in his music and it’s exciting to watch him in action.

Portrait of Tom Richardson by James Chapman

Tom is a remarkable human. Tom’s impact on not only SW Victoria but several communities around the world is no less than colossal. Whilst donning several hats, Tom is a fulltime independent singer-songwriter. Tom is also the musical director and co-founder of the Find Your Voice All Abilities Choir and sits alongside wife Kim influencing the lives of many through the ground breaking True Spirit Revival. Tom is a carer, advocate, yogi, choir master and coffee addict. As Tom’s website suggests he is “your newest oldest friend” and all that know him will attest to the trueness of those words.

From Solid Rock to BLM: a role for an old 'whitefella'

By Max Shand.  Published in "The Age" July 9th 2020

Shane Howard, lead singer of '80s band Goanna and author of their 1982 anthem Solid Rock, smuggled the harsh truth about Australia’s colonial past into the mainstream at a time when many media organisations denied access to Indigenous voices.  Nearly four decades later, the Black Lives Matter movement has struck a chord in Australia. Howard says he still feels he has a role to play, but no longer as a white voice speaking (and singing) on behalf of those silenced. He believes Indigenous voices can, and should, speak for themselves. But he still hopes he has some part in, he says, creating “a dream that we can share”. Speaking over the phone from Warrnambool in southwest Victoria, Howard discusses his recent album, Dark Matter, and the importance of building pathways into Aboriginal cultural history. Through collaborations with Indigenous artists such as Andy Alberts, Archie Roach, Bart Willoughby and Trevor Adamson, Howard wants to synthesise a national story that brings together all experiences. “The treasures of our country are all here; we just need to exhibit a little humility, shut up and listen,” he says. “We're in an interesting time where lies can be spread on social media, but truth can be sprayed as well.” He is full of admiration for the current wave of young Indigenous voices. “In my generation, Aboriginal artists found ways to tell stories that non-Indigenous people could stomach. Now, with artists like Briggs, there's no sugar-coating,” he says. Howard says Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can create new cultural work together, as well as apart. “Our stories are already intertwined. We have to find a way to approach these very hard subjects about our history and build a narrative that we can be proud of collectively.” The recent, dramatic return of racial politics to the nation’s agenda, even amid a global crisis, has led Howard to reflect on the past and his role in it. “Back in the '80s, we didn't hear Aboriginal voices on radio,” he says. “I don't believe that an Aboriginal artist singing Solid Rock would've gotten through.” Visiting Uluru in 1981, Howard witnessed Aboriginal people speaking language, singing, dancing and painting and had the profound experience of “waking up in someone else’s country”. “Everything you ever thought about being proud of the country you grew up in and its mythological stories — Gallipoli, Eureka, Captain Arthur Phillip, James Cook — they are all meaningless in the context of the fact that we brutally stole someone's country.” As a whitefella, Howard knew that he could use his musical platform to create awareness around colonialism and what Indigenous people had lost in the process. His call to arms was clear. As the '80s progressed, Howard’s role was supplanted by a generation of Indigenous artists who had become educated and engaged in mainstream media and politics. Bart Willoughby, then Yothu Yindi, Kev Carmody and Archie Roach, made no apologies for their past and became what Howard calls “the tip of the spear of contemporary Aboriginal music”. “I thought Aboriginal people were now in a position to tell their own stories. They had the microphone, they had an audience, and they didn't need whites to explain it for them.” Indigenous artists began to tour extensively, Keating became prime minister, the Native Title Act was passed, and it seemed that progress was being made. But “when Keating lost the ‘96 election to Howard, the doors of possibility got slammed shut again. The opportunity we had to resolve our colonial issues came to an end with Howard and his program of intervention over self-determination.” “We have to come to the table and bring the best of what we've all got to this conversation, but bearing in mind that Aboriginal people have had the greatest disadvantage and deserve to have their voices properly heard.”

Taliesin

 Simon McCullough, Murray Adams, Lee Morgan, Steve Allender

Caetline Martin

Commercial Hotel Hamilton Open Mic session

Commercial Hotel Hamilton Open Mic session - 15th March 2020

Nathan Ainger, Paul Connelly, Dave Martin