Githabul Next Generation - 'Looking Out For Country'

Desert Pea Media is very proud to announce the second release from an ongoing project series with the Githabul people of Muli Muli and Woodenbong in Northern NSW.
This production was created in March 2018, via a 5 day Desert Pea Media storytelling workshop. Co-written by, and starring an incredibly talented group of young Indigenous young people enrolled at Woodenbong High School - with support from DPM staff, local community members and school staff.
This campaign was developed to create awareness and conversation about environmental protection and 'Caring For Country' for Indigenous young people and community in the area. The program was designed to create inter-generational dialogue around community, culture and identity and create awareness and conversation around waste management and protecting culture and country.
Environment and country is the foundation of everything, and with the support of the EPA and Newaste, the Muli Muli community have been leading the way in waste management, environmental campaigning and caring for country. The process of creating music brings together young people, elders, local ranger groups (The Githabul Rangers), EPA staff and other community members to discuss environmental issues and equip young people with the knowledge to care for country.
Desert Pea Media projects involve a dialogue-based storytelling process that encouraged participants to analyze 'the real', 'the ideal' and 'the bridge'. In simple terms this means critically thinking about how to create positive change for yourself, for each other and for our communities.
The importance of this vital, inter-generational conversation cannot be over-stated. Young people are the future, and without critical thought and community-led education, culture and country is in grave danger.
'Looking Out For Country is a funky, emotive reggae ballad that touches on some very contemporary and relevant environmental issues. Staunch, double-time dub rap lyrics and a lilting chorus that sings us through the Githabul mountain ranges - Looking After Country contains an important message for our future generations.
This project featured the expert musical direction and production of DPM producer Josh Nicholas (aka Hazy) who has produced music for all 'Githabul Next Generation' productions. We thank you brother for you vision and hard work.
Special thanks to Tash and Danyelle from the EPA Susan, Salome Green, and tother staff at Woodenbong High School for your hard work and continuing support of the DPM programs.
Respect and gratitude to all the Githabul people. Big love to all you mob, and thanks again for having us on country once again.
LYRICS
When I'm looking out for country
Country looks out for me
Taking it back to the olden days
Githabul country thats our place
Where the sunshine over Mt .Lindsay
in the mornings get them golden rays.
Its home for us, it's home for you
We seen what the cows and pigs can do
Lotta these species introduced
Stopped our natives reproducing
Used to be more water in the creek
Waterholes were a lot more deep
Day by day, week by week
That cycle’s on repeat
Listen when the Githabul people speak up
Don’t sit back and kick your feet up
This aint no storm in a team cup
Grab that mic, turn that beat up
HOOK
When Im looking out for country - country looks out for me
When Im looking out for country - country looks out for me
VERSE 2
What we gonna do, whats it gonna take
This is our home at stake (ah ah ah)
These Githabul People are standing strong
Singing our country a brand new song (whoa)
Once ya dig it up, can’t break it down
Once introduced then stays around
Metal and plastic - stuck with it
Nobody gunna - come get it
Well we sick of that waste - running amuck
Took two tons of it off in a truck
This stuff never comes down to luck
If it’s ever gunna happen - it starts with us
CO-WRITTEN BY AND STARRING
Clinton Williams
Jemimah Williams
Gideon Williams
Jermaine Close
Marshall Close
Malaya Close
Shemaaya Williams
Solomon Williams
Hank Veivers
Alice Close
Amos Close
Memphis Hoskins
Shelby Hoskins
Maddison Riley
Aleisha Riley
Dyllan Fleming
Shonriqua Hippi
Lerqayne Hippi
Shiloh Williams
Renae Williams
Armoni Hickling
Athol Hickling
Ashanti Hickling
Attalia Hickling
Justina Williams
Shynarah Williams
Leroy Brown
Jaylei Brown
Hezekiah Brown
Eerol Brown
Jarius Williams
Jeremiah Williams
Jacob Close
Thane Williams
CREDITS
Toby Finlayson - Director/ Writer/ DOP/ Editor
Josh Nicholas - Music Producer/ Music Director/ Facilitator/ 2nd Camera
Declan Furber-Gillick - Writer/ 2nd Camera/ Facilitator/ Guitarist
Michael Graham - Co-Writer/ Mentor
Genevieve Kaiser - Color Grading/ Motion Graphics/ Titles
David Nicholas - Audio Mixing
Darren Ziesing - Audio Mastering
Rachel Rowe - Producer / DPM Business Manager
Danyelle Carter and Tash Morton - EPA Producers