It took 3 weeks of creative development for my brothers Mick & Dave, my sister Alice and I to sit down with Kylie Belling (Director) to thread together the family stories that became the theatre show ‘Songlines of a Mutti Mutti Man’.
Four nights at the George Fairfax Theatre and from all the feedback we got, it was a success. The responses were over whelming and for me it was gratifying to see my family come together to achieve something never before tried by any of us – theatre performance. It took so much courage for my brothers and sisters to perform our stories. Every show was amazing and hopefully we will be taking it on the road regionally in 2008.

Since then, ‘Beyond the Bars 4’ (3CR NAIDOC Prison broadcasts) have been completed and are available from 3CR. I have also spent a couple of months working at Yappera Aboriginal Childcare Agency creating and writing a CD – a compilation of children’s pre-school songs. Very cute.

A good friend of mine – Black Santa – has been seen around town so it’s ho, ho, ho for 2007.
Yours in the struggle for 2008 – see gig dates for up and coming shows – it’s gonna be great.

KMBM Kutcha

Sorry for the long delay but have been run off my feet since 2003. Have been re-recording the latest album (HOPE) with friend Richard Pleasance up in Daylesford. Included on the album is the single (SILENCE) with Damien Howard & the tribute song to my brother Wally (PHOTOGRAPHS) with David Bridie.

Sadly have had a very hard time with the loss of my Mother, brother, nephew, & dear friend Hessy. So much grief for me & my family. This sadness can somehow make you stronger too. It has motivated me to live life to the fullest and to be even more determined to fight justice for my people.

Have pushed back the CD launch to August. Might do a sneak preview before then so will keep you posted.

Gigs are posted in the 'gigs' section of the website.

All in all I HOPE this is going to be a great year.

KMBM Kutcha

Have been back from Weipa and Mapoon for a few weeks. The 2 weeks away from so-called civilization have opened my eyes and heart to what is really happening in this country. Traveled from one end of Australia to the other only to see how multi-nationals treat communities with disrespect.

On my way home I almost got stranded in Cairns but I chucked a tanty, which got me a plane flight back to Melbourne. Landed and got straight into a car and traveled to my gig in Portland. Walked on stage at 2.15 in the morning. The pub was still packed and waiting and for an hour the band rocked the house Wrote 4 great songs while up north and have mixed them down. Can t wait to see the finished film clips. Such lovely people up there in the Cape-wanted to bring them all home. From now to the end of the year I want to record a few new songs and work up enough for my new album. Gigs posted in diary. Speak to you before the end of year. KMBA. KUTCHA

Back from the East coast tour. Brisbane was quiet and laid back. Dropped into West End park to say hello to the parkies. An old uncle there sang 'Stricken Land' to me, which was funny.

Played 'The Healer '- wasn't as many Murrays as hoped but still a great show. Did an interview on N.I.R.S with Mark Graham and had a real laugh when Grant and myself took over the studio and interviewed ourselves. Sunday went to the footy to watch Brisbane Lions vs Swans at the Gabba. Got the run around so we left.

I won the bands' Queensland Ten Pin Bowling championship. Hope to win other titles soon. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Byron Bay. What's the fuss? Thursday finally got to Sydney-what a long drive! Friday night played 'The Rose of Australia' in Erskinville. Great crowd, great show. Saturday popped into The Block (Redfern), met the mob and played a few songs. That night played The Bridge Hotel in Rozelle. Smaller crowd but still fun. Sunday-Home Sweet Home. Here a couple of weeks and then off to Cape York - Weipa and Mapoon.

As mentioned, SORRY DAY was again an emotional time. I received some emails from people in my past who were impacted by their unawareness of former government policies. They were moved to contact me on them becoming aware of the stolen generations.

Again Reconciliation Week was busy as was NAIDOC week (July 7th-14th). In Reconciliation week I finally found a new girlfriend Ð Mary G. Look her up on the world wide web under the Mary G show.

Lots of Koori inmates to visit all over Victoria during NAIDOC. They are a part of the community as well but again you wonder why they are given just one day in a year to celebrate being an Aboriginal. Over the last 2 months we have written and recorded an albums worth of songs through work in youth programs, prisons and schools. I am saying this because it has been suggested that I have writers block. Little do they know.

All these songs are now being aired on our very own Koori community radio station 3KND-1503AM.

MARCH 4

Sung at opening of Koori Court Broadmeadows. Got a bit cheeky and talked about fines (parking and abusive language - 1991)

Low and behold I get to the car and sitting on windscreen is a $100 parking fine...soon got that sorted out!

Same night band gig at the AALI- National Aboriginal Homeless Conference- found a comedian in the audience. Will try to get him down for TV series.

MARCH 10th

Great day at the league, sung some songs, (no grog), plenty of kids and elders...has got to be more of this!!

Out at Eltham College again soon. Last year wrote a great song. Hope to do the same this time round.

Happy New Year - hope everyone had a safe Xmas & a New Year full of hope & fun. Having a couple of weeks off which is needed at this time (recharge the batteries.)

Just before Xmas I saw the boys at MAP (Melbourne Assessment Prison) and Loddon. Wished them a Merry Xmas as they are also part of the community.

Whispers in the air - BLACKFIRE is doing Invasion Day Concert at the Trades Hall on the 26th January. Be interesting to see how much interest this reunion will bring!!

The CD launch was a great night. Great to see all my family & friends gather to celebrate this occasion - especially my Mum Mary - traveling all the way from Gippsland. Bless her.

Been doing songwriting workshops at Northlands Secondary College, Barwon Prison and various schools and corporate groups around Victoria. I like these workshops - each song is an expression of how the youth of today are thinking. One way of keeping in touch.

Gigs coming up at Dan O'Connell and Cornish Arms with Richard Frankland and Nick Barker. Croc Festival (10th, 11th, 12th September) in Swan Hill. A time for me to meet family. I'll probably go to Balranald NSW (where I was born) and take my son to see my dads, his pops grave.

Fulham Prison on the 16th and 17th and then heading up to Wilcania for Bob Wilson's CD launch. I like traveling so even though it's busy it's fun as well.

Stay Tuned,
Peace Kutcha

Finally Cooinda CDs are in the shops. It's been a long four years since the start of this project. Finally I can get the CD to Upper Jumbuck West (if they want it!).

Bob and Hazel are in town to record a CD. Myself and Grant are producing for them. Great sound - hope he goes a long way.

Songlines festival - great nite and great music. Can't wait until next year. NAIDOC fast approaching. Well done Johnny and Jirra! (Mr. and Mrs. NAIDOC) Keep up the good work. Thanks to 3CR and presenters for their hard work during NAIDOC week. Thanks to John Favarro for givng the Ararat boys a NAIDOC week to remember.

Off to Weipa, Cape York on the 12th for the Croc festival. Great sights, great people, great times.

ps Caught two giant GT's (Giant Trevally) and one reef shark - photos to prove it