Geraldton performer disappointed in the City’s handling of Australia Day

A local Indigenous performer said he felt singled out by the City of Greater Geraldton when his aunty got a call questioning his planned performance on Australia Day. Zain Laudehr planned to play a song about national reconciliation, Sorry, at the City’s Australia Day community event. The song was based on a poem written by his Aunty Nola Gregory — a revered Aboriginal poet, artist and former CGG staff member. But events left him feeling undermined by the City. He said it contributed to the stress and sickness that left him unable to perform, leaving a gaping hole in Geraldton’s Australia Day line-up. In early January, a former colleague called Gregory to request the lyrics to Laudehr’s song. Gregory said the request was “confusing” and “out-of-the-blue” as she wasn’t a listed performer. After hearing no other artists were being questioned on their song lyrics — especially not through a family member — she said she felt sad and hurt. “Why do people have a problem with Aboriginal people using their voice through song? We have just as much right to be heard in the community,” she said. When Gregory retired from the City, she told her former colleagues she was open to receiving their calls. But she said the lack of sensitivity shown on this occasion made her feel sad. “I don’t write poems to hurt people’s feelings, I write them to open people’s eyes,” she said. Laudehr, who has performed at City events since childhood, plans to meet staff next week to talk it over — a meeting he said he had struggled to secure. City chief executive Ross McKim was saddened to hear the City’s actions had left Laudehr and Gregory feeling hurt. He said maintaining strong relationships with the Aboriginal community was a priority for the City. “It was never the City’s intention to offend anyone on Australia Day, and we hope we can move forward and continue to work with artists like Mr Laudehr for future City events,” he said. Mr McKim said all acts provided set lists to ensure the day was “appropriate for a family G-rated event”. The Geraldton Guardian contacted several other musicians who played on the day. While all provided set lists, nobody else said they were asked to provide lyrics. Rosie Sitorus, who performed a very political piece, said it was unlikely the City meant any malice, but that didn’t mean the lack of sensitivity was acceptable. In the end, she said the day lacked an Indigenous voice, which was a shame because Geraldton’s Aboriginal community had an amazing culture it was generally generous about sharing. “The event could have been a lot better,” she said. Performer Darcy Hay agreed, saying it was a shame Laudehr’s music and Gregory’s words weren’t present. “It’s to our detriment to not represent the voices of Aboriginal people,” he said. Laudehr said, as an Indigenous man, people had asked him why he would perform on Australia Day. He said he wanted to contribute to an event that reflected on the past, considered the present, and looked forward to the future. The first song he planned to play was about the national apology, the second was a dream song about young people leading the nation and, lastly, he planned to cover I Am Australian. As somebody who helped support young Indigenous musicians, he felt the City should bring sensitivity to the table. “I want to make a stand now and make it better for the younger kids coming through. It is OK to stand up and say something if you feel singled out,” he said.