The BISS Pudong Auditorium was rocking on Monday 13th January as indigenous Australian musician Scott Darlow entertained the students with his unique blend of didgeridoo and guitar.
The “didge” is a traditional instrument made from the trunk of a small tree which requires the special skill of circular breathing to master. The atmosphere was electric with students marveling at Scott’s ability to sing, play the guitar and add in the didgeridoo! It was during his childhood, visiting cousins in his family’s traditional land, YortaYorta in Murray River country that he learned this skill; although he is quick to say, “I’m too shy to play with my cousins. They’re so much better than me!”
Scott is a Spokesperson for World Vision’s Indigenous Programme, and used his performance to deliver an important message about indigenous people and reconciliation. He explains, “Music is a vehicle I use to inspire people to be agents for change for indigenous people.” A former international school student, Scott spent his early years in Hong Kong before returning to Australia to complete his high school education. As a former teacher as well, education is a big focus. He continues with a shocking statistic, “Only 3.5 percent of indigenous Australians even finish school.”
Together with his band, he introduced the students to his own compositions, as well as some important Australian indigenous songs, including ‘Solid Rock’, a 1980’s hit which became an indigenous land rights anthem. The message he left the students with is FLUTE – Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy. He says, “I say to the kids, you can be a history maker if you do 10 percent of each of those things.”
