THE Australian High Commission was proud to bring Kuku-Yalanji man Mr Jeremy Donovan, an Australian First Nations musician, artist, poet, public speaker, and educator to Solomon Islands from 18 February โ 26 February 2024.
Over 9-days, he visited 8 schools, 3 marketplaces, and 1 church group across Western, Malaita and Guadalcanal Provinces.
An internationally famous Aboriginal musician and artist, Jeremy Donovan has performed all around the world, including at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, at Buckingham Palace for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and at the White House for President Bill Clinton.
With him, Mr Donovan brought his didgeridoo, a famous native Australian instrument called โyiki-yikiโ in the langus of Jeremyโs people. To the delight of children and adults alike, Mr Donovan showed how he can imitate the sound of iconic Australian animals like the kangaroo, dingo, kookaburra, and saltwater crocodile.
Mr Donovan also spoke about his life, and about the transformative power of education. He said, โeducation can be hard work, but it should also be fun and it’s a privilege. Reading and writing are powerful keys to unlock your potential.โ
Mr Moffat Kutai, Deputy Principal of Alotaโa Community High School in Auki, Malaita Province said, โJeremyโs presentation really inspired our hearts. He challenged the students, and us teachers, to dream so that we can go further, and continue our education journey. I believe the pikinini really enjoyed his visit because he shared a great message with them.โ
In Western Province, Mr Jeremy Donovan was welcomed at St. Lukeโs Early Childhood Education, Gizo Community High School, St. Peterโs Rural Training Centre, and St. John Bosco Nusabaruku Primary School, as well as performing at Gizo Market.
In Malaita Province, Mr Donovan visited Alotaโa Community High School, Auki Community High School, Aligegeo Provincial Secondary School, and Auki Market.
In recognition of Australia and Solomon Islandsโ shared Christian heritage, Mr Donovan also visited Holy Cross Cathedral in Honiara on Sunday 25 February 2024, attending mass and meeting with the youth group afterwards to perform and share his stori.
He also performed with local music legend Natty Dolaiasi, Cultural Director at Dreamcast Theater, before the final PacificAus Sports futsal match between the Futsalroos and the Kurukuru.
Of his visit, Mr Jeremy Donovan said โitโs been a wonderful trip that has created memories which Iโll carry with me forever. Visiting schools in Gizo, Auki and Honiara was a great privilege. There are many similarities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Solomon Islander culture: music, dance, stori, song, artwork, and carvingโ.
Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton said, โJeremyโs visit is an extension of our education partnership. Australia celebrates the excellence of its First Nations people, who have 65,000 years of history and continuous culture, and share deep and ongoing connections with the Pacific. Jeremy has come to Solomon Islands to share that culture with pikinini and to continue the cultural exchange between our nationsโ.
โAustralia is Solomon Islandsโ numbawan education partner. In 2023 alone, Australia invested SBD 154 million into the education sector. This went to supporting school infrastructure so more kids can go to school in safe and strong facilities, strengthening the curriculum, and training teachers.โ
Rich and continuing cultures, traditions, and knowledge, like those in Solomon Islands and in Australia, have a key role to play in resolving shared global challenges.
Mr Jeremy Donovanโs visit is part of the Australian Governmentโs commitment to strengthen First Nations partnerships and connections across the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and his visit to Western and Malaita Provinces demonstrates Australiaโs commitment to ensure all provinces are sharing in the Solomon Islands โ Australia Partnership for education.
AHC PRESS
