The Purga Music History project (2003-2008) involved several different action cycles that are described in the Powerpoint presentation below. There were many overlapping spheres of practice throughout the journey with communities, as we explored the music stories of our neighbourhood. The project would not have been possible without assistance from Purga Friends Association, Inc. and Purga Elders and Descendants Aboriginal Corporation. Thank you to all the co-researchers who participated. It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity for reunion of old friends who used to live in the area.
 Presentation by Sandra Kirkwood at the
ArtsHealth Symposium, 7-9 October, 2009. Newcastle, Australia.
Music Memory groups - It all started in 2003 when we tried to learn more about the music history of Purga, Ipswich, Australia. The participatory action research was facilitated by Sandra Kirkwood as part of a music history assignment for the Bachelor of Music course. A group of people who used to live in the area gathered together for morning tea meetings with Sandra to discuss the music history of the neighbourhood. With the assistance of Indigenous officers and elders, we rotated venues for monthly morning tea meetings between the Purga Community Cultural Centre and the Purga Elders and Descendants Aboriginal Corporation next door.
The Ipswich City Council provided a community development grant that enabled us to set up a historical display in the Purga Community Cultural Centre. A member of the group video-recorded the stories that people told and the group assisted in writing a storybook for children called The Purga Music Story and Harold Blair. We greatly appreciate the assistance from Harold Blair's family who travelled from interstate to take part. The book has practical learning activities throughout to help children engage with their music heritage and culture.
"The Purga Music Story and Harold Blair" is an inter-generational community education package about Purga music history that was developed through consultation with local people who used to live in the neighbourhood, or on the Purga Aboriginal Mission that was once situated in the area from 1915 to 1948.
Reflection about music memory group and story telling:
The Purga Music Story is a living story that seems to grow over time. Musicians who play and sing at community dinners write themselves into Purga Music history. New residents who move into the Purga area also have the opportunity to include music stories about themselves and their relatives in the Purga Music Story. People bring in old photographs, newspaper clippings, and music memorabilia to share with others and it can be added to wall hanger displays and multi-media recordings to assist with the telling of the story.
The Purga Music Story enlarges with each telling because people ad lib as they tell the story and add jokes, music and songs. At a recent 'Aussie dinner' I think there was a wee bit of exageration or 'guilding the lily', as some people call it; but that is the prerogative of the culture bearers who collaborate creatively to share their experiences and memories.
I especially like to see young people join in because they bring new ideas and new ways of seeing things. Where would we be without their expertise in technology and multi-media devices? A whole new chapter is beginning to be told about web and digital techology for music. There is certainly renewed hope for musical development, when people dust off their instruments and bring them in to play at community events such as 'Carols in the Country.'
It seems to be important that the story is told in the local area because elderly people can re-visit the area where they grew up and show us things that are of significance to our music history. Music somehow seems to be associated with life in general. The lyrics of songs say something about what people thought, felt, and valued at the time. The choice of musical repertoire at school, church, at dances and social events provides insights into society.
People meet up with their old school friends and acquaintances at the Purga Community Cultural Centre, church, and old Purga School. Many memories are also renewed from visits to the places where people used to live and the Purga Aboriginal Cemetery. This reunion with old friends can be part of a natural process of reminiscing about life stories and passing on music heritage and culture from one generation to the next. The process of encoding music heritage and culture is especially important in light of the Indigenous history of the area and the future industrial development that has been proposed by state government.
Recording the intangible memories, and the music and songs that people remember is important to safeguarding the music heritage and culture of the area. It helps people to reflect on what the music history means to us today. Writing new songs and stories is also important so that people can share new insights.
The Purga Music Museum was founded by the Purga Friends Association, Inc. and Purga Elders and Descendants Aboriginal Corporation in 2003, as part of the Purga Dawn Ceremony. The museum is more than a collection of music memorabilia; it is a meeting place where people gather together, and a keeping place to showcase local music heritage and culture. The collection includes videos, publications, music scores, photgraphs, recordings and DVDs of local people discussing the music history of the neighbourhood. There are also books, videos, photographs, letters and articles about the life and musical career of renowned tenor, Harold Blair who grew up on the Purga Aboriginal Mission. Meta Maclean (local composer and author) is also remembered through display of her music compositions, books and historical records pertaining to her life and musical career. Meta Maclean grew up at Boonah, Munbilla and attended the Ipswich Girl's Grammar School. She was the composer of many iconic Australian songs such as the 1931 anthem to the Country Women's Association, "Forward, Ever Forward."
Musical instrument renewal occurs at Purga, such as the restoration of the reed organ in the Purga United Church. Les Rub wrote a story about his restoration of the Purga reed organ. It contains photographs of the different processes and procedures that he used. Reed organ restoration is a dying art because most organs are powered by electricity today. Many young people marvel at the way the organ works on foot pumping action. Les' story is available through the Purga Music Museum and he sometimes visits for social occasions and community events.
There are two historic pianos in the old Purga School that are in need of further restoration. One is said to have belonged to Miss Woolley who was the school teacher on the Purga Aboriginal Mission. The other one was bought for the Purga State School in 1945.
There is no end to the stories of triumph and tragedy that are shared at Purga. We take comfort in being able to relax in the natural surroundings of the Purga Nature Reserve and Goolman bushland areas that are maintained by Ipswich City Council.
Further information is available at the Purga Music Creative Communities website at http://www.freewebs.com/purgamusic/index.htm.
Article written by Sandra Kirkwood 28 March, 2009; updated 28 Oct, 2009.
© Sandra Kirkwood, 2008 |
