Songlines

Responsibility – social justice, reconciliation, peace and environmental responsibility are the causes for which Songlines singers perform.

We first sang in Brisbane Australia in 1996 to champion justice for Indigenous people. With roots in reconciliation, we steadfastly support Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples in their quest for sovereignty, land rights, equality, justice, recognition, respect and resources.

Our repertoire is a lively mix of contemporary, traditional, Indigenous, world and original songs, all reflecting our core values.

We sing out loud on Invasion Day, in Sorry Week, in Reconciliation Week and at NAIDOC events. Our songs also call for sanctuary for asylum seekers, for peace and for environmental responsibility – at rallies and marches, at multicultural and community festivals … at public events of all shapes and sizes.

Songlines is a community choir which began by bringing songs of social justice to Brisbane in 1996. We especially bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories to the fore. We sing for sanctuary for asylum seekers and for the rights of refugees. We seek a community that advocates for human rights, for those on the margins and who respect the environment as the basis for life on this blue planet.

One of the really interesting things about the members of the Songlines community choir is the wide range of skills and talents in our lives.

Importantly, we boast three Patrons …

Sam Watson, Birigubba man, husband of Catherine. Leader, activist, novelist, film-maker, playwright and University lecturer.
Saba Abraham, Eritrean woman who began the Mu’ooz restaurant and catering business. Leader, activist with a long history of advocacy for the wellbeing of refugee women and their children in Brisbane.

Matilda Bani, Torres Strait Islander woman, elder from Mabuaig Island among the inner islands of the Torres Strait who is a long time advocate for her community and beyond.

Songliners are proud and humbled by the lives and passions of our Patrons and greatly appreciate our association. Their examples show productivity and compassion that their communities bring to the wider community.

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