Dear scattered fellow travellers,
Day 5 in the Pinkenba Detention Centre – a kiss on each cheek (and one again for good luck) from our translator for each of us. She has the confidence and freedom to greet even us males in this way. Yani and Paola received their expected kisses and embraces from the rest of the gathering. Simon and I had to be content with the vigorous handshakes. Aleathea, Matthew and Pete had put in apologies for today.
We are here as community musicians – traversing together those mysterious emotional realms where music seems to nuzzle in and find a home.We came with guests though – grateful that SERCO had granted our request that they join us for this ‘one-off’ occasion – Rachael from the Songlines Responsibility Choir and Laura from Musicians Without Borders. We had assured SERCO that their visit was not just for inquisitive observation (fragile people don’t need the ‘fish bowl’ experience) but that their attendance would benefit the program we were offering. Our guests had agreed to be respectful of the opportunity to bring music into the Centre and, in spite of whatever personal beliefs held about Detention, not to use the experience for politicizing. Read More
