THE ‘All One Under the Sun’ anti-racism project for 2022 was launched at the Jetty Memorial Theatre on 11 April to a full house.

The project is a program led by the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), supported by headspace Coffs Harbour, Coffs Harbour City Council, Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Lands Council and Blue Sky Community Services.

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A warm Welcome to Country was given by Aunty Yvette Pacey and was followed by a powerful Gumbaynggirr cultural dance performance by the Wajaar Ngaarlu dancers.

Jalay Jalay dancers, led by local Gumbaynggirr choreographer Gloria Mercy, then performed a very moving contemporary Aboriginal dance piece about the Stolen Generation, which set the scene for a powerful night at the Jetty Theatre.

MCs Rataj Abdullah and Mikal Tesfamariam from the project’s Youth Action Collective (YAC) confidently guided the audience through the evening, which included speeches by MP Gurmesh Singh, Mayor Cr Paul Amos, and STARTTS CEO Jorge Aroche.

Nada Ali, Rataj Abdullah and Zahra Kawyan from the YAC also shared poetry and speeches detailing their vision for a world without racism.

One of many highlights was the performance of the project’s anthem by the Song Writing Collective and guest artists.

The All One Under the Sun song features five languages, and sends a strong message about standing up to racism and coming together as a united community.

It is both catchy and heart-warming.

The original song was written collaboratively by the young musicians alongside local music producers ‘Grow the Music’, and is now available to download on all platforms.

This collaborative song includes many different cultures, genres and styles, moving between Gumbaynggirr to an indie pop style groove.

It crosses through Kurdish musician Ali Hasan’s lyrical bouzouki, spoken word in Arabic to Swahili rhythms, with MCs Tory Paasi and Roger Lundindi’s heartfelt words bringing us back to a unifying chorus.

The screening of the documentary and film clip created by local filmmakers Bathtime Productions follows the process of creating the project and shares the stories of some of the young people and facilitators involved, detailing experiences of racism as well as antidotes to racism, and their hopes for a harmonious future in Coffs Harbour.

The young people involved see this change as possible, and something they want to achieve to make life better for their younger siblings and children in the future.

The overwhelming message is that we are stronger together.

“Following the documentary, the film clip of the song was screened for the first time – there was a great sense of pride and connection from all who took part in the evening,” Naomi Steinborner, Project Coordinator, All One Under the Sun told News Of The Area.

There’s a screening of the film clip coming up at the All One Under The Sun Festival on 29 May at the Botanic Gardens in Coffs Harbour, where the Song Writing Collective will perform live.

The festival is led by Coffs Harbour City Council in collaboration with local partners and celebrates everyone’s journey to call Coffs Harbour home.

It is a new incarnation of the popular Harmony Festival that hasn’t been held in recent years due to COVID restrictions.

The festival will have a strong line-up of performances including both local and visiting artists, as well as workshops, activities and delicious food celebrating cross-cultural Coffs Harbour.

For more information about the festival and project go to www.alloneunderthesun.com.au.

By Andrea FERRARI