Two local music lovers have combined with a singer-songwriter from one of our nearest neighbours to help share culture through sound.
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Last year former breakfast radio presenter and Order of Australia awardee TIm Holt and musician Dave Crowden visited Timor-Leste to help plant the seed for a future tour to Australia by a local choir.
The Timorese people all love singing, you go into a school and the kids all get up and sing,
- Tim Holt OAM
The pair, joined by Timor-Leste’s Ego Lemos who penned the hit song Balibo, are creating relationships they hope will bridge the gap between the cultures through the Belun Malu Choirs Project.
The project aims to bring a group of singers from Natarbora in 2020, and a fundraiser has been launched to help raise the further $21,000 needed to make it a reality.
Mr Holt said friendship groups are an important part of international relations, as they connect real people together, creating positive relationships with nations where government’s fail.
“There was just five dentists in the entire country when we visited, which is just one example of the disadvantage, and shows why these friendship groups are so important,” the 66-year-old said.
The people of the small nation left a permanent impression on Mr Holt, who said he hopes the recent general election will help lead to its people sharing in revenue from the oil and gas field in the Timor Sea.
“It [Timor-Leste] certainly stuck with me, and I hope the election allows the oil deal to go through,” Mr Holt said.
“I hope the money starts flowing, because they need an injection of funds into health and education.
“It would also be great to see the oil and gas companies use Timorese people for employment and training.”
He said music is the ideal forum to exchange language and culture.
“The Timorese people all love singing, you go into a school and the kids all get up and sing,” Mr Holt said.
“We had a few nights where we were able to share food and music with a family.”
There are hopes the visiting choir will perform a string of shows including the famed Port Fairy Folk Festival in Victoria.
The first fundraising event will be held at Four Winds’ Windsong Pavilion on June 3.