NATIONAL COMPACT: An Australian Government Initiative - part of the Social Inclusion agenda
National Compact: Working Together (2010)

Shared vision

The Australian Government and the Third Sector will work together to improve social, cultural, civic, economic and environmental outcomes, building on the strengths of individuals and communities. This collaboration will contribute to improved community wellbeing and a more inclusive Australian society with better quality of life for all.

Consultation with members through the Music Health mail group, and research and development activities at the annual Music Health symposium held at the Bunya Mountains, has led to the following plan for service directions in 2010-2011.

Since we are a small group but with considerable influence, due to our diverse backgrounds in music and health and geographical spread across Australia, our efforts are to be pooled toward the objective of furthering reconciliation between Indigenous and other Australians. The modality of choice is through making music that is meaningful and relevant to present day circumstances. Latest news on Orchestrating Reconciliation.

We are working toward our mission statement which supports the directions outlined by Prof Jane Davidson, President of the Musicological Society of Australia, in the 2009 MSA submission to Hon. MP Peter Garrett on the Draft National Cultural Policy:


Additional submissions written by Sandra Kirkwood, that are relevant to this project include:

Music Health Australia Submission on National Cultural Policy - January 31, 2010

Music Health Australia also contributed to the Voices From the Campfires report through lodging a submission by Sandra Kirkwood with the FAHCSIA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation - 31 July, 2009. This report describes the consultation and establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation.

• I enjoy receiving my regular updates from your organization.
• MHA provides a platform for people from different disciplines to meet/discuss about music/health.
• The most useful thing for me has been hearing about conferences which I would not normally encounter or look out for. I love talking to groups and teaching adults, and I'm looking forward to finding a conference which intersects somehow with my expertise so that I can present a paper, or where I can sell music and meet new customers.
• There is an awesome amount of talent and expertise amongst the 84 people on the list, from very diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• I am very interested in music and health and would like to be part of the group.
• The Music Health Advisers and Griffith University School of Public Health have been very generous sponsors as well as some other members who advertise their services on the website.
• Many members have been assisting through in-kind support and this is very much appreciated eg. writing support letters for grants, providing mentoring, peer support, advice and encouragement.
• The website and e-mail group have been an effective way of disseminating information. There is a high volume of traffic to the website each day and this has been steadily increasing.
• Website traffic rates for month of June 2010: 4,991 hits from 1,023 computers.
• Average daily website traffic rates for month of June 2010: 166 hits from 34 computers.
• Membership of the e-mail group has been very stable. 95% of people who join the group remain members. A few people left the group when membership fees were introduced in September, 2010. The levy has not been compulsory.
  
  Weaknesses
  

• A common concern that has been raised is the lack of employment for people working in Music Health in community settings. It seems that the people who need the service most are least able to pay music teachers, music therapists etc.
• Discussion, occasionally ends without concrete actions/outcomes.
• Financial outlays have exceeded membership contributions.

• Is there a proposed constitution?
• Who will be administering the money? Is there a budget? How did the fee amount come to be decided and who decided? It should be voted on by members and first foreshadowed. Will those who choose not to pay not receive information as currently provided?

• Maybe there is some potential for a coordinated approach on a particular project or issue.
• For me, it's a matter of attitude. Some people may consider 'voice out opinions', 'update information' as opportunities. Others may view 'opportunity' in terms of job appointment.
• We all have different reasons and contexts for what we do, which is what attracts me in part to Music Health, but we need to put recipient’s physical /psychological needs at the forefront. It is also a fascinating area to explore because it is controversial. Is anyone interested in having a discussion amongst ourselves re the types of music used in music health and their suitability/non-suitability for various conditions etc.? Anyone interested in contributing songs/playing on a CD that I am making....?
• There is potential for requesting membership contributions from other organisations, professional associations and people who register for the mail group. It may also be possible to attract funds from people or organisations who wish to advertise on the website.
• More members could assist by participating actively in the e-mail group and adding news/events to the online website forum.
  
  Threats
  (members feedback June-July, 2010):
  
  

• MH network seems to be Qld MH network. links with other similar networks??
• Can't see any special threats at the moment unless... it's costly to run the website (time and maintenance fee).
  
• Some issues about potential conflicts in professional roles are mentioned in this email received from a member: Music Health aims to unite people working in related areas , which is wonderful BUT practitioners in the different areas have different ways of working, nearly all of which have excellent outcomes. I see these areas as educational environments (eg Special Schools), the broad domain of degreed music therapists, community music therapists, and community musicians working on various projects. I would be interested to know how many actual trained music therapists have joined MH. Because academia and evidence based research are becoming more prominent in the community in an effort to justify funding, the continuation of courses and raise the profile of music therapy in Australia in order that it be recognised as an Allied Health intervention music therapists are keen to protect what many (not all ) consider to be their territory. It is absolutely true that quite a few things are being done by community people in the name of music therapy which are totally inappropriate interventions for various populations (eg relaxation music with nature sounds with people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or dementia related illnesses and particularly delivering a program where participants leave on an uncontrolled “HIGH” without being brought down to earth which can cause extreme anxiety related symptoms) . Music therapists are (generally) aware of these potential outcomes so they are careful to design programs to avoid this kind of thing happening. A lot of community musos think that MT’s are snobs and elitist. Teachers using music for therapeutic reasons are focused on broad educational outcomes and aspects such as the all-important therapeutic relationship are left out.
• I’m all for music groups of all kinds. I run MANY different ones over the years. I applaud “musicking” of all kinds ( except Satanistic Death metal)
• So the point is that we all want the joy of music for our clients and that we all want to do it in the way we believe is best. We don’t necessarily need degrees but we need some education about what we are doing and know WHY we are doing it . I would be happy to come to next year at the Bunya MT to give a few “lectures” on the area- not in my position as an MT necessarily but as an interested and informed party on these matters. Maybe we could do it by having a big round table discussion on we do in our own work and take it from there. That way everybody’s individual techniques are not threatened. I would love to see some sharing of ideas and resources and have the opportunity to do some “spontaneous” music playing in the evening. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Keynote speaker: Dr Kalaly Chu

Ph.D, MME, BA (Hons), Dip. Fine Arts, Dip. Complementary therapies

Dr. Kalaly Chu received her doctorate degree from University of New South Wales. Her research and teaching experiences in Australia and Hong Kong have enriched her understanding about the development of aesthetic education in Asia-Pacific areas. Further, her work experience in a national gallery and as an illustrator in a publishing company deepened her knowledge about the representation of the arts.

Presentation Title: The role of music in children’s emotional development
Abstract:
This presentation is a summary of a case study showing how music is used to train and build one’s confidence and improve one’s communication ability. Music can help people to express their emotions and feelings, thus increasing their ability to communicate with others and increase their awareness about themselves and the people around them.

The author’s observation and belief about the therapeutic nature of music is based on her teaching experience for the past decade, especially in the following three perspectives: (1) learning is inseparable from sensory interaction, (2) verbal language and words can’t totally express emotional feelings, and (3) the limited language ability of small children.

Art Exhibition: The kaleidoscope of human expression and emotion
(Papercutting exhibition)

Imagination and emotional expression is inseparable in the making of arts. Erickson (1979) states that the artist uses his imaginative skills to re-create the perceived object and embodies his ideas into a specific art form. Imagination ‘metaphorically’ transfers the images into new meanings and ideas. The kaleidoscope of human expression and emotion can be captured through this traditional, distinctive art form – Papercutting. The purpose of the exhibition/workshop is to illustrate the therapeutic nature of colours and lines. Colours and lines are inseparable with our daily perceptual experience. Music --- has its colour (tone) and line (musical line). By showing the audience about 12-20 artworks, they may/can experience the artistic materials more directly and personally.

Recent Publication: Dr. Kalaly Chu (2009) Music and Visual Art: Their correspondences and a new perspective in exploring appreciation in education and in our life.

Presentation Title: “Let’s Sing Out! – the effects of singing on quality of life and lung function of young people with cystic fibrosis”

Speaker: Jung Yoon Shin Irons

Yoon is a qualified music therapist with experience in working with children with disabilities and challenging behaviour in the U.K. Currently, she is conducting a randomised controlled trial with young people with cystic fibrosis at Royal Children’s and Mater Children’s hospitals in Brisbane as part of her PhD studies. She loves singing and plays the piano, flute, guitar, lyre and percussion.

Abstract: This presentation will focus on the psychological and physical benefits of singing. Breathing in singing differs from speech breathing, in that the length of the expiration phrase is longer, due to the demands of the extended musical phrase. Lung volumes needed to sustain these phrases are greater than those used for speaking. Therefore higher lung volumes are associated with singing, which may also use the full range of lung volume available. Diaphragmatic breathing during singing activates respiratory muscles, which support efficient deep inhalation and slow exhalation. This increases respiratory muscle strength, which increases lung volume and assists effective coughing. Singing can also reduce fear, anxiety and pain perception, enhance quality of life and de-medicalise at least some of the treatment regimen for cystic fibrosis.

Presentation title: Planning and development of Music Health services in Australia
Speaker: Sandra Kirkwood Director, Music Health Australia

Sandra Kirkwood has worked in the health, education, and disability sectors for the last 25 years as an occupational therapist, disability project officer, and allied health consultant. In 2005 Sandra completed a Bachelor of Music degree and is currently enrolled in a Research Higher Degree at the Queensland Conservatorium, GriffithUniversity. Sandra has completed a number of music projects with communities in Ipswich that were funded by Ipswich City Council and Arts Queensland.

Abstract:

This presentation will include historical review of music health services in Australia and explanation of place-based socio-ecological practice frameworks. Music Health can incorporate community music, music performance, music occupation, music life education, health promotion and music without borders approaches. These service areas will be discussed and participants will be invited to contribute to strategic planning. The workshop will involve group inter-professional discussion about future directions. Music Health may be of interest to music specialists, educators, therapists, social workers, psychologists, nurses, doctors, ethnomusicologists and others involved with music health and well-being.