Jilya World Suicide Prevention Day Concert

John Butler

John Butler is the front man for the John Butler Trio, a roots and jam band that formed in Fremantle, Western Australia, in 1998.

The John Butler Trio has recorded five studio albums including three that have reached number one on the Australian charts: Sunrise Over Sea, Grand National and April Uprising. His recordings and live performances have met with critical praise and have garnered awards from the Australian Performing Right Association and Australian Recording Industry Association.

Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse

“Williams and Ghouse excel in writing songs that instantly feel familiar, despite being sung in an unfamiliar language. Williams is out to change that. Only 400 people speak Noongar fluently, and she told the audience of her passionate plea
for us all to learn five Noongar words – #fivewords.”

Bourby Webster, Seesaw Magazine 2020

Naomi Pigram

Recipient of the ‘Too Solid’ female vocalist of the year award Naomi Pigram is a proud indigenous person of Yawuru and Wadjarri people.

Naomi is a singer, songwriter, performing artist and community service worker from Broome. Her professional performing career began at the age of 15 starring in Bran Nue Dae cabarets. Naomi studied dance at Naida and, at the age of 17, toured nationally in the role of Christina with Corrugation Road across three different tours. In 1999 she played the lead in the Dendy-award winning short film Kulli Foot and has supported many major Australian Artists including Missy Higgins and Archie Roach. In 2013 Naomi appeared in the film Dark Whispers which was written and directed by her sister Ngaire Pigram. This earned Naomi a WOW award for her leading performance.

Bojessie

Bojesse is a 23 year old singer/songwriter from West Australia growing up between his hometowns Broome and Perth. Bojesse was raised in a musically rich family, and despite the “family business” it wasn’t until age 16 that Bojesse turned to music as an outlet for the “typical emotional rollercoaster that is adolescence”.

Drawing from artists such as John Mayer, Ed Sheeran and Jon Bellion, Bojesse is currently developing his sound and diving deep into the realm of music production and song writing. 2017 marked a huge event where Bojesse made it to the live finals and top 12 of The Voice Australia finishing 11th overall. He walked away from the whole experience with his glass half full having learnt a lot about the engine that drives massive TV productions and all its workings.

Raising funds and awareness for Indigenous suicide prevention

 

JOHN BUTLER · GINA WILLIAMS & GUY GHOUSE · NAOMI PIGRAM · BOJESSIE · KOBI MORRISON & MOOMBAKI

Winthrop Hall at UWA

10 September 2021

More than just a concert

 

On World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2021, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health (“Jilya”) will hold a fundraising concert to address the shocking rates of Indigenous child suicide which are now at the world’s highest rates.

This years concert will feature performances by John Butler, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, Kobi Morrison and Moombaki; Naomi Pigram and Bojessie Pigram.

“Jilya” means “my child” in Nyamal: for this is about our children. It reflects the underlying vision of Jilya – to provide a world in which our most vulnerable Indigenous children can have at the very least, an equal opportunity to thrive.

The heart of Jilya is the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program. Founded as a response to the voices of bereaved Indigenous parents and communities who were crying out for help and not able to access it. To date, the program is supporting and mentoring 15 Indigenous psychology students.

The concert will also announce the 2021 recipients! We know their stories will inspire you all.

The concert brings people together on this issue. Black, white, all Australians together for these are Australias children. We can show that these lives matter, and they matter to all Australians equally. Every dollar raised ensures our most in need communities will have services commensurate with need.

Please join Dr Tracy Westerman AM, The Jilya Board along with The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of WA at Winthrop Hall, UWA for a night of hope, optimism and a celebration of Indigenous talent and excellence.

John Butler

A man of many talents

John Butler is the front man for the John Butler Trio, a roots and jam band that formed in Fremantle, Western Australia, in 1998.

The John Butler Trio has recorded five studio albums including three that have reached number one on the Australian charts: Sunrise Over Sea, Grand National and April Uprising. His recordings and live performances have met with critical praise and have garnered awards from the Australian Performing Right Association and Australian Recording Industry Association.

John Butler has said living in Pinjarra as a teenager helped him understand the injustices Indigenous people face, and ignited his passion to speak out about it. The famous musician moved from Los Angeles to Pinjarra when he was 11, and lived there until he was 20-years-old.

“It had everything to do with who I became as a person,” he said. “For me, it was the first time I came in contact with Indigenous Australia and the Noongar people of Pinjarra.

“I became really good friends with a couple of families in town.”

Butler said he became close with the Kearing family, in particular. “I learnt heaps from them – their stories and their connection to land,” he said. “They opened my eyes to the natural world I was living in, but also to the injustices that Indigenous people face.

Award winning musician

John Butler, an APRA and ARIA-award-winning musician, plays harmonica, didgeridoo, drums, lap-steel, banjo and amplified acoustic guitars and his custom-made, 11-string Maton guitar.

Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse

Stunning artists

Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse have firmly established a reputation for bringing a fresh, modern take on ancient traditions; merging evocative sounds,
natural acoustic instruments, poignant stories with that incredible, beautiful voice. The natural rhythms of the language are perfectly captured and
represented, and there’s an onstage connection and charisma that comes from two good friends who simply won’t quit.
Australian Indigenous music Icon and National Treasure, Archie Roach, has likened Gina to being a modern day Edith Piaf, telling his audiences that
Gina “takes this old, old language, writes and sings these beautiful songs so that we in the audience cannot help but fall in love with the romance of
it all.”
Gina is a Balladong daughter; one of the 14 clan groups which make up the Noongar nation, covering the south west corner of Western Australia. By
official records, Noongar language is critically endangered (there are less than 400 recognised fluent speakers left). Her mother and grandmother,
both part of the Stolen Generations were never allowed to speak their languages. Gina wasn’t stolen, but was relinquished as a baby for adoption.
Telling her story and singing these beautifully crafted songs in language is deeply personal.

Many awards

WINNER: 2020 BEST GUITARIST (Guy)
Western Australian Music Industry (WAMi) Awards
WINNER: 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013: INDIGENOUS ACT OF THE YEAR
Western Australian Music Industry (WAMi) Awards
INDUCTEE: 2018 West Australian Women’s Hall of Fame (Gina)
ABORIGINAL CATEGORY WINNER, 2017 WEST AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Naomi Pigram

Multitalented

Recipient of the ‘Too Solid’ female vocalist of the year award Naomi Pigram is a proud indigenous person of Yawuru and Wadjarri people.

Naomi is a singer, songwriter, performing artist and community service worker from Broome. Her professional performing career began at the age of 15 starring in Bran Nue Dae cabarets. Naomi studied dance at Naida and, at the age of 17, toured nationally in the role of Christina with Corrugation Road across three different tours. In 1999 she played the lead in the Dendy-award winning short film Kulli Foot and has supported many major Australian Artists including Missy Higgins and Archie Roach. In 2013 Naomi appeared in the film Dark Whispers which was written and directed by her sister Ngaire Pigram. This earned Naomi a WOW award for her leading performance.

With over 25 years of experience in the performing arts and community service sector Naomi has combined her knowledge of the complex social issues in the region and creative talents to develop and implement projects to encourage and promote self-discovery, acceptance and change for its participants.

Improve the system

As a life-long Kimberley resident, candidate Naomi Pigram said she had often felt frustrated while navigating the health system. “We don’t immediately think about our connection to land or environment as something that immediately impacts someone’s mental health,” she said.

Bojessie

Rising star

Bojesse is a 23 year old singer/songwriter from West Australia growing up between his hometowns Broome and Perth. Bojesse was raised in a musically rich family, and despite the “family business” it wasn’t until age 16 that Bojesse turned to music as an outlet for the “typical emotional rollercoaster that is adolescence”.

Drawing from artists such as John Mayer, Ed Sheeran and Jon Bellion, Bojesse is currently developing his sound and diving deep into the realm of music production and song writing. 2017 marked a huge event where Bojesse made it to the live finals and top 12 of The Voice Australia finishing 11th overall. He walked away from the whole experience with his glass half full having learnt a lot about the engine that drives massive TV productions and all its workings.

In 2018 another learning experience presented for Bojesse relocating to Brisbane for music mentorship. Currently Bojesse is continuing to write new music whilst touring with Bran Nue Dae.

Hypnotic lyrics

His beautifully rich and melodic rhythms, combined with hypnotic lyrics for the soulful hearts of today, continue to drive the creation and embodiment of his musical journey.

This concert would not be possible without the generous support of UWA:

A huge thank you to our many other concert donors and supporters:

Can’t make the concert? Donate instead: