Collabs

Shellie working with young people in Yarrabah. Shellie was invited as a guest artist over five years to create new works with students of Yarrabah State School and the present these works on a big stage as part of Yarrabah Music and Culture Festival. Her ties to and love of the Yarrabah community are deep and the songs these groups created live on years later.

Dr. Shellie Morris AO’s sustained contributions over the past 30 + years exemplify visionary leadership, fearless trailblazing, and high-level artistic practice. Her unwavering commitment to championing Australian repertoire and elevating female voices through language projects has seen her celebrated both on an international stage and on nations around Australia.
Significant projects that have impacted the Australian music community and the preservation of First Languages include:

  1. Yarnumamalya Ayangkidarrba-langwa – Collaboration with Anindilyakwa women
  2. Singing For Our Little Ones – Collaboration with Rosemary Plummer, Marlene Plummer and Miriam Frank
  3. Waralungku – Arrkula Yinbayarra  women connected to the languages of Borroloola
  4. Singing Our Songlines – Collaboration with Inala Wangarra Elders
  5. Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu – Shellie Morris and the Borroloola Songwomen

Each of these projects focusses on on revitalising and celebrating First languages, preserving cultural heritage and amplifying under-represented voices.
By singing in over 20 First languages, she ensures that these linguistic treasures are preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Shellie empowers women within communities she is invited to sit with, providing them with a platform to share their stories, traditions, and cultural heritage through music. Her collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and pride among the women involved, contributing to their empowerment and self-expression.
Furthermore, Shellie’s impact extends beyond the realm of music. She is a tireless advocate for social change, using her platform to address issues such as addiction, trauma, and healing within First Nations communities. Through her music and advocacy work, she promotes understanding, empathy, and reconciliation, bridging divides and fostering a more inclusive society.

Shellie at the National Indigenous Music Awards with Isa McDinny (left).

Voices of the Land: Celebrating & Revitalising First Languages Through Music

Over her career, Shellie has been invited into many communities. This is a visual map of the languages she has learnt to sing in:

Arrkula Yinbayarra feat Shellie Morris are a widely acclaimed group singing in the critically endangered langauges of Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji, and Marra. Image by Matthew WF Wells.

Stay Connected with Music, Storytelling & Community!

For bookings and media inquiries, please contact Shellie’s manager.

Emily Murphy-O’Neill

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Join Shellie on her journey of storytelling and music as a healing tool. Be the first to hear about new projects, upcoming performances, and the impact of her work with communities across Australia.

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