Arnhem Land teens ‘spellbinding’

LAKE BOLAC – The musical highlight of this year’s Lake Bolac Eel Festival came courtesy of a trio of Arnhem Land teenagers.
Yirrmal Marika, Raven Marika and Dion Wunungmurra are living in Geelong courtesy of the Marrma’ Rom Two Worlds Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation founded by Geelong couple, Melissa Patterson and Cameron Begg.

The teens attend St Joseph’s College as part of the leadership program, which aims to empower the future leaders of Arnhem Land.

The teens performed on the Buskers Stage throughout the afternoon before playing a short set in the music marquee later that evening.

Eel Festival committee person Rob Shea labelled the performance ‘spellbinding’.

“Neil Murray first raised the suggestion they come along and do a handful of songs,” Mr Shea said.

“They did four songs in Aboriginal language, with a Didgeridoo and clap sticks. It was breathtaking, their voices were marvellous.”

This year’s headline act, Carus Thompson has called many places home, including the outback Aboriginal community of Peppimenarti. As a result, Indigenous themes are present in many of his songs.

A folk-roots rocker, Carus Thompson first played the Eel Festival with his band The True Believers in 2008 and has tried to make it back every year since.

A veteran of the Australian touring circuit, Carus is a gifted songwriter and storyteller in the vein of his music heroes, Paul Kelly, Tim Roger and Mick Thomas.

Mr Shea said Carus was at the top of his game at the Eel Festival.

“Carus Thompson and the True Believers ripped the joint apart,” he said.

“I’ve seen them a few times, but I think it was their best Eel Festival performance ever.”

Mr Shea said Carus and his band had the crowd up dancing and singing in the music marquee, providing the quintessential closing act.

“I think we had the bands in the right order,” he said.

“It doesn’t always work that way – even though we try to – but this time each performance led into the next one. We started off with roots and folk, then regae and rocked at the end.”