Musical composition
Oro Yarta Milyarra
UniSC Graduation Ceromony (Sep-2024)
2024
Appears in NTRO Research Collection
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UniSC NewsAbstract
Research Background
Australian universities are seeking to embed First Nations knowledges and practices into curriculum and university life. Approaches to achieving “Indigenisation” vary widely (Dianati & Bolt, 2025). One visible way to explore cultural collaboration is through ceremonial practices such as academic procession music. The Prince of Denmark’s March, previously played at University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) graduation ceremonies, is widely used in popular media to evoke pageantry and British heritage (Le Huray & Day, 2011). This project investigated how creative practice could generate new forms of cultural knowledge and reconciliation by composing a ceremonial work for a multi-campus university, led by First Nations Elder Uncle Kevin Starkey.
Research Contribution
Through an iterative creative process, Uncle Kevin consulted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country to ensure the work reflected the cultural breadth of a multi-campus university, composing Oro Yarta Milyarra, meaning Northwind Country Ceremony. Following a spoken monologue, the composition opens with a wullwora recorded in an abandoned train tunnel for its acoustics. Uncle Gordon Browning performed a pre-colonisation yidaki and modern replica yidakis, while clapsticks and Torres Strait drums represent ceremonial practices from across Australia. Developed with Indigenous leadership and UniSC’s music discipline, and recorded on location and in the K1 studios, the project demonstrates how creative practice can act as a research methodology, embedding cultural knowledge in performance and ceremony, and connecting graduands with ancient knowledge holders.
Research Significance
Commissioned by the Vice-Chancellor, Oro Yarta Milyarra has opened every UniSC graduation ceremony since September 2024. By integrating Indigenous-led creative practice into a core university ritual, the project has produced a visible research-led intervention and attracted media coverage including local ABC Radio and The National Indigenous Times.
Details
- Title
- Oro Yarta Milyarra
- Authors
- Kevin Starkey (Composer) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and SocietyLachlan Goold (Producer) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Healthy Ageing Research ClusterAndy Ward (Producer) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Healthy Ageing Research ClusterBriony Luttrell (Producer) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
- Event details
- UniSC Graduation Ceromony (Sep-2024)
- Date published
- 2024
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991172345302621
- Output Type
- Musical composition
- NTRO Classification
- NT2
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