Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services Aboriginal Corporation (GYHSAC) is utilising the storytelling power of music to inspire healthier living in the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah with the launch of the ‘Bina-N Wanggi’ educational music video.
Developed with funding from Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), the groundbreaking video aims to promote the importance of immunisation, and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the Yarrabah community.
The video, which is sung in both English and the local Gunggandji language, features Yarrabah Primary School students and renowned artists Mau Power, Normey Jay, and Uncle David Mundraby.
Renee Grosso, Gurriny Yealamucka’s Public Health Coordinator, was excited by the opportunity of working on such an ambitious project.
“Our program goals for this project are to help improve the health and wellbeing of our Yarrabah community, by raising awareness about the concepts of good health in a holistic and locally identified manner,” she said.
“The strategy we took was to do this through the development of a health message music video with a group of Yarrabah children and local artists.
“This was a project that all of community can enjoy for generations to come.
“It was such a pleasure to work with NQPHN on this project. They were so supportive, which enabled us to really ‘think outside the box’ and create something that was meaningful for the community.”
The two-day project began with a songwriting workshop at Yarrabah Primary School, led by Mau Power, where a group of enthusiastic primary school students, Uncle David Mundraby, Yarrabah music legend Normey Jay, and the Gurriny Public Health Team collaborated to compose the heartfelt lyrics of the song.
The second day of the project focused on capturing the essence of Yarrabah through the filming of the music video in various locations across the Far North Queensland community.
“It was an action-packed and fun-filled couple of days which showcased the exceptional talents involved while capturing the inherent beauty that Yarrabah exudes,” added Ms Grosso.
“We invite the Yarrabah community, along with the broader public, to embrace this remarkable project, celebrate local talent, and join us in championing the message of good health.”
Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said NQPHN was delighted to support the health promotion project.
“We are always working to explore different ways to engage young people and promote healthy living and the importance of immunisation across remote communities in our region,” said Mrs Whyte.
“We are very happy to have supported the collaboration and passion of musicians, school students, and Gurriny’s Public Health Team to make this wonderful, innovative project possible.”
The music video is available to view on YouTube here.
GYHSAC has also made available a behind-the-scenes video, showing the scripting and recording of the music track.
