Acknowledgement of Country

Process

The first project of its kind in Australia, this initiative saw the MSO, with generous support from the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and UNESCO, partner with Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO and Short Black Opera to develop a Musical Acknowledgement of Country featuring languages from across Victoria. The project was guided by Indigenous language custodians and communities, ensuring cultural integrity and authenticity throughout its development.

The project was delivered in three stages:

1. The MSO worked with Aboriginal Co-operatives or Traditional Owner representatives in each region to commission and pay a Language Guardian to make a translation of the Acknowledgement of Country text.
2. Indigenous workshop leader and Short Black Opera artist, Jessica Hitchcock, supported by musicians from the MSO delivered a series of on-Country workshops working with indigenous communities to develop a musical framework for the text.
3. These musical frameworks, developed in partnership with representatives of each Country and Language group, informed Yorta Yorta Composer, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO’s composition of the Musical Acknowledgements of Country.

When performing on Country, the MSO will pay tribute to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we perform in our own language of music.

Each Acknowledgement – including music composed by Yorta Yorta composer Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO and an MSO recording featuring Indigenous musicians and a language guides developed with custodians of each language – was gifted back to the community from which it came. With the blessing and permission of each community, these resources are available to the wider community, providing a pathway for learning and respectful engagement with unique indigenous languages and cultures.

Partners

The MSO’s Musical Acknowledgement of Country project embeds our orchestra in communities across the state.

Short Black Opera Company
The MSO is proud to work in partnership with Australia’s only Indigenous opera company.

Traditional Owners and Language Custodians
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation – Language for the Dja Dja Wurrung Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Dja Dja Wurrung man Harley Dunolly-Lee through the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. The MSO is grateful for the guidance and knowledge of the Traditional Owners of Dja Dja Wurrung country and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation 
Language for the Wadawurrung Acknowledgment of Country was generously supplied by Wathaurung woman Corrina Eccles through the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation. The MSO is grateful for the guidance and knowledge of the Traditional Owners of Wathaurung country and the Wadawurrung Language and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Language for the Gunditjmara Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Gunditjmara woman Vicki Couzens. The MSO is grateful to Aunty Vicki, Uncle Leonard Clarke and Brett Clarke of the Gunditjmara community for their guidance and knowledge and pay respects to them, the Traditional Owners of Gunditjmara country and to their elders past, present and emerging.

Ganaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
Language for the Ganai and Kurnai Acknowledgements of Country was generously supplied with support from Ganaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. The MSO is grateful for the guidance and knowledge of both Kurnai and Ganai communities and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of Ganaikurnai country and to elders past, present and emerging.

Language for the Dhaagung Wurrung Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Taungurung woman Lee Healey. The MSO is grateful to Aunty Lee for her guidance and knowledge and to the Traditional Owners of Taungurung country and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Dirrawarra Indigenous Network 
Language for the Bpangerang Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Bpangerang man Freddy Dowling with support from the Dirrawarra Indigenous Network. The MSO is grateful to Uncle Freddy for his guidance and knowledge and pay respects to the Traditional Owners of Bpangerang country and to elders past, present and emerging.

Language for the Ladjiladji / Tatitati Musical Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Tati Tati man Brendan Kennedy. The MSO is grateful to Uncle Brendan for his guidance and knowledge and to the Traditional Owners of Ladjiladji and Tatitati country and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Boon Wurrung Foundation 
Language for the Boon Wurrung Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Parbin-ata Carolyn Briggs AM through the Boon Wurrung Foundation. The MSO is grateful to Aunty Carolyn for her guidance and knowledge and to the traditional owners of Boon Wurrung country and pays respect to elders past, present and emerging.

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative
Language for the Yorta Yorta Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Yorta Yorta linguist Belinda Briggs and Yorta Yorta woman Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO.

Language for the Gulidjan Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Gulidjan woman Ebony Hickey. The MSO is grateful to Ebony and Gulidjan first peoples and pay respect to their elders past, present and emerging.

Language for the Dhudhuroa and Way Wurru Acknowledgement of Country was generously supplied by Dhudhuroa man Gary Murray. The MSO is grateful to Uncle Gary for his guidance and knowledge and pay respects to Way Wurru and Dhudhuroa Traditional Owners and to elders past, present and emerging.

Melbourne Museum 
The MSO partnered with Melbourne Museum to support the River of Language exhibition in 2019.

This project received grant funding from the Commonwealth Government through the Australian National Commission for UNESCO.