Best friends and performers Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse are bringing to Gosnells music that tells stories of language and culture
Acclaimed Noongar musicians Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse have been creating music together for about 15 years. In that time, they have released four albums, written two operas, published two books and travelled the world performing songs in Noongar language.
Their music is more than craft. It grows out of trust, joy and a strong respect for one another. “With what we do, there has to be a really strong element of trust,” Gina said.
“We love what we do, but we also love being around each other. It’s a very special thing that we get to create together.”
Their show, ‘Kalyakoorl’, ‘Ngalak Warangka’, meaning Forever, We Sing, will take audiences on a journey through four guiding principles: heart, family, land and legacy. The wisdom comes from Gina’s late uncle, Tom Hayden, who told her that when those four things are in balance, everything else falls into place.
“These aren’t just Noongar values,” she said. “They are universal truths. Our performances are always more about what connects us and what we have in common, because there is far more of that than what separates us.”
Keeping Noongar language alive through song is central to what they do. “It’s the language of this land. You can’t separate language from culture,” Gina said.
“There are fewer than 400 fluent speakers left. Traditionally, we sing before we speak, we dance before we walk. Music is a beautiful way of keeping our language alive.”
To those hearing Noongar for the first time, the experience may be surprising.
“It’s contemporary music, it’s beautiful at the heart of it,” Gina said.
“And people don’t realise they already use Noongar words every day. Jarrah, marron, gilgies; these are all Noongar words. I hope people are delighted when they make those connections.”
The pair have played stages around the world, from opera houses to the AFL Grand Final. But the most treasured moments, Gina said, are with children and elders.
“We used to do about 100 school incursions a year, seeing thousands of children. That was always a highlight. And singing for our old people, in a language they were once forbidden to speak, that is a privilege.”
Despite their many achievements, Gina said she still gets nervous before stepping on stage.
“I wasn’t very brave at the beginning, but Guy inspires me. He helps me to be brave. He makes me feel safe, and what we do together matters. I still get nervous because I want people to get the best show possible.”
Asked to describe their upcoming performance in one word, she said, “Beautiful.”
Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will perform ‘Kalyakoorl’, ‘Ngalak Warangka’ at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre in the City of Gosnells on Wednesday, September 17 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 to $25. The event is supported by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport.
