Gina Williams

Last updated

Gina Williams
AM
Born Western Australia
OriginWestern Australia
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • author
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
Years active
  • 2000–present
Labels
  • Gina Williams
Website www.ginawilliams.com.au

Gina Williams AM is an Australian singer-songwriter from Western Australia. Williams has released five studio albums and is the recipient of seven West Australian Music Industry Awards. [1]

Contents

Early life

Williams is a Ballardong, Noongar woman, one of the 14 clan groups which make up the Noongar nation, with links through her grandmother’s line to the Kija people of the East Kimberley. [2] [3]

Williams's parents and grandmother were both part of the Stolen Generations and were never allowed to speak their languages. [1] Williams recalls her parents saying "you have lovely olive skin because of your Indian or Malay heritage", which was not true. [4]

Williams's mother was an alcoholic, in and out of her life since she was eight, and her father died a few days after Gina's 12th birthday. Gina was placed in foster care and was soon adopted. [4] In 2013, Williams reflected saying "I grew up not knowing anything about my true history. I've had to go back as an adult and learn. I don't regret this, but it means I've had to claw territory back. I wanted to learn the language, to write songs so that I could teach my children. It's an incredibly beautiful language – when I hear Noongar language I hear music, it literally sings to me." [1]

Williams said that as a child "I wanted to be Sarah Vaughan when I grew up and to marry Nat King Cole". [5]

Career

2000–2010: solo albums

In 2001, Williams won her first West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMI) for Indigenous Song of the Year. In 2003, she won Most Popular Local Original Indigenous Act. [1]

In 2009, Williams was a headline artist, for International Women’s Day in Newman, for WA Business Arts Partnership Awards in Perth and City of Perth Christmas Festival. [1]

The same year, at age 40, Williams enrolled into a Noongar language course at TAFE. She wrote her first song in Balladong "Iggy's Lullaby" while studying and pregnant with her third child. [5]

Later in 2009, Williams wrote a song, incorporating the elements of a Welcome to Country. The intent of the song, "Wanjoo" (Welcome), was to be used by Williams and her children. She asked her language teacher to check and correct and the teacher loved it which lead to Williams teaching it to her classmates. [6]

In 2010, Williams performed a cabaret, telling her own and her people's stories in Gina Williams and the Lubbly Sings. [2]

2011–present: collaborations with Guy Ghouse

Circa 2010, Williams started working with guitarist Guy Ghouse, an Australian of Chinese and Indian descent, born and raised in the Kimberley. [5]

In 2014, Williams and Ghouse and released Kalyakoorl (Noongar for "Forever"). The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Crank Studios with Lee Buddle and featured Russell Holmes (Piano), Roy Martinez (Bass), Arun Satgunasingam (Percussion) and introduces Gina's daughters Lauren and Bella McGill (backing vocals). [7] The album was sung entirely in Noongar. [4]

In 2018 Williams and Ghouse released their second collaborative album Bindi Bindi (Noongar for "The Butterfly"). The album was once again recorded, mixed and mastered at Crank Studios with Lee Buddle. [7] Stephen Bevis from The West Australian said "this landmark album is a triumph. Singer-songwriter Gina Williams and guitarist Guy Ghouse have laid down an important stepping stone in what will hopefully be an irresistible and sustained renaissance in Noongar language and culture...But this is not only an important cultural document - it is a plain lovely musical gem...4.5 stars..." [7]

Also in 2018 Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse signed a world wide publishing agreement with Perfect Pitch Publishing.

The duo's third collaboration Koorlangka (Noongar for "Children/Legacy") was released in February 2020. Once again, this album was recorded on Noongar country (Perth), and mixed and mastered at Crank Studios with Lee Buddle. [7] Hayden Davis from Pilerats said "Koorlangka [is] a collection of old-fashioned lullabies and children's songs performed in the Noongar language, modernising classic tales from both Indigenous and Anglo-Saxon backgrounds and adapting them for Indigenous Australia; Williams' vocal moving between Noongar and English as twinkling instrumentals from Guy Ghouse, acoustically backing the soothing and comforting vocal of Williams as it swirls and dances around." [8]

In 2021 Williams released her first book, Wanjoo, featuring illustrations from students at Ashfield Primary School in Perth. [9]

Also in 2021 Williams and Ghouse published, through Magabala Books (Indigenous publishing house based in Broome, Western Australia), their first music book for voice, guitar and piano, "Kalyakoorl, ngalak warangka" (Forever, we sing). October also saw another step in the continued renaissance in Noongar language and culture with a sell out WA Opera season performing the Noongar Opera Koolbardi Wer Wardong, a story of Koolbardi the Magpie and Wardong the Crow.

Williams and Ghouse continue to host free interactive community music and language workshops featuring storytelling, music and collective singing. [10]

Honorary positions

Williams was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to the performing arts, to Indigenous music, and to media" in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours. [11]

Board of Directors, Australian Music Centre, 2021–present [12]

Williams and Ghouse accepted an invitation in 2021 to be the inaugural patrons of Perth's first cabaret festival - Perth International Cabaret Festival [13]

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with release date and label shown
TitleDetails
Into the Night
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: Gina Williams (PHGINAW001)
  • Formats: CD
Brilliant Blue
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: Gina Williams (PHGINAW002)
  • Formats: CD,
Kalyakoorl
(with Guy Ghouse)
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse (GWGG001)
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Bindi Bindi
(with Guy Ghouse)
  • Released: April 2018 [14]
  • Label: Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Koorlangka
(with Guy Ghouse)
  • Released: February 2020 [15]
  • Label: Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Awards and nominations

WAMIS

The West Australian Music Industry Awards are annual awards presented to the local contemporary music industry, put on annually by the Western Australian Music Industry Association Inc (WAM). Williams has won seven awards. [1]

YearNominee / workAwardResult (wins only)
2001Indigenous Song of the YearRainy Tuesday WeddingWon
2003Most Popular Local Original Indigenous ActherselfWon
2013Best Indigenous ActherselfWon
2014Best Indigenous Actherself (with Guy Ghouse)Won
2015Best Indigenous Actherself (with Guy Ghouse)Won
2016Best Indigenous ActherselfWon
2018Best Indigenous Actherself (with Guy Ghouse)Won

West Australian of the Year Awards

The West Australian of the Year Awards recognise Western Australians making significant contributions in key areas such as arts and culture; the Aboriginal community; positive social, scientific and economic impact; sport and the WA community as a whole.

YearNominee/workAwardResult
2017HerselfAboriginal CategoryWon

Western Australia Women Hall of Fame

The Western Australian Women's Hall of Fame was first established in recognition of the Centenary of International Women's Day’s Day held annually since 2011. [16] [1]

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2018herselfHall of Fameinductee

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perth</span> Capital city of Western Australia

Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of over 2.2 million within Greater Perth. It is part of the South West Land Division of Western Australia, with the majority of Perth's metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp. The city has expanded outward from the original British settlements on the Swan River, upon which its central business district and port of Fremantle are situated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noongar</span> Group of Aboriginal peoples on the southwest coast of Australia

The Noongar are Aboriginal Australian people who live in the south-west corner of Western Australia, from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast. There are 14 different groups in the Noongar cultural bloc: Amangu, Ballardong, Yued, Kaneang, Koreng, Mineng, Njakinjaki, Njunga, Pibelmen, Pindjarup, Wadandi, Whadjuk, Wiilman and Wudjari. The Noongar people refer to their land as Noongar boodja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yagan</span> Australian Noongar warrior (c 1795 – 1833)

Yagan was an Aboriginal Australian warrior from the Noongar people. Yagan was pursued by the local authorities after he killed Erin Entwhistle, a servant of farmer Archibald Butler. It was an act of retaliation after Thomas Smedley, another of Butler's servants, shot at a group of Noongar people stealing potatoes and fowls, killing one of them. The government offered a bounty for Yagan's capture, dead or alive, and a young settler, William Keats, shot and killed him. He is considered a legendary figure by the Noongar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toodyay, Western Australia</span> Town in southwestern Australia

Toodyay, known as Newcastle between 1860 and 1910, is a town on the Avon River in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 85 kilometres (53 mi) north-east of Perth. The first European settlement occurred in the area in 1836. After flooding in the 1850s, the townsite was moved to its current location in the 1860s. It is connected by railway and road to Perth. During the 1860s, it was home to bushranger Moondyne Joe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kojonup, Western Australia</span> Town in Western Australia

Kojonup is a town 256 kilometres (159 mi) south-east of Perth, Western Australia along Albany Highway in the Great Southern region. The name Kojonup refers to the "Kodja" or stone axe made by Aboriginal Australians, from the local stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ballidu, Western Australia</span> Town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia

Ballidu is a town in the Central Midlands division of the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about 217 kilometres (135 mi) north of Perth. Ballidu is also 34 kilometres (21 mi) north of the town of Wongan Hills which, along with a few other small towns such as Cadoux and Bindi Bindi make up the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whadjuk</span> Noongar people of the Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia

Whadjuk, alternatively Witjari, are Noongar people of the Western Australian region of the Perth bioregion of the Swan Coastal Plain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bindi Irwin</span> Australian television personality and conservationist (born 1998)

Bindi Sue Irwin is an Australian television personality, conservationist, zookeeper and actress. She is the elder of the two children of conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin and his conservationist wife, Terri Irwin, who is currently the owner of Australia Zoo. Bindi's younger brother is Robert, a television personality and photographer, and she is the granddaughter of naturalist and herpetologist Bob Irwin.

Milica Davies, is an Australian classical guitarist. She has released three albums, Rouge Guitar (2005), Stir the Sky (2007) and Evie's Song (2012). In 2002, she toured Australia and Asia backing José Carreras. As from 2004, Davies is based in London where she also teaches guitar.

Noongar is an Australian Aboriginal language or dialect continuum, spoken by some members of the Noongar community and others. It is taught actively in Australia, including at schools, universities and through public broadcasting. The country of the Noongar people is the southwest corner of Western Australia. Within that region, many Noongar words have been adopted into English, particularly names of plants and animals.

Noongar Radio 100.9 FM is an Aboriginal community radio station in Perth, Western Australia.

Kylie Bracknell, formerly Kylie Farmer and also known as Kaarljilba Kaardn, is an Aboriginal Australian writer, director and actress.

Bindi Bindi is a small town located between Moora and Wongan Hills in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It has a population of 59 as of the 2021 census.

Kelton Pell is a Noongar Aboriginal Australian stage, TV and film actor, best known for his role as the court liaison officer, Sam Wallan, in the SBS legal drama The Circuit set in north-western Australia. Pell is from Western Australia.

Angela Ryder is a Wilman Noongar from Western Australia who is a co-founder of the Langford Aboriginal Association and the Senior Manager of Aboriginal Services with Relationships Australia.

Emily Wurramara is an Indigenous Australian singer and songwriter.

Della Rae Morrison is an Aboriginal actress, songwriter and activist of the Bibulman Noongar people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spacey Jane</span> Australian indie rock band

Spacey Jane are an Australian indie rock band formed in Fremantle in 2016. The group consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Caleb Harper, lead guitarist Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu, drummer Kieran Lama and bass guitarist Peppa Lane, who replaced original bassist Amelia Murray in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ziggy Ramo</span> Australian singer

Ziggy Ramo Burrmuruk Fatnowna, known professionally as Ziggy Ramo, is an Australian singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorinda Cox</span> Australian politician

Dorinda Rose Cox is an Australian politician who has been a Senator for Western Australia since 2021, representing the Greens. A Yamatji and Noongar woman, she is the first Indigenous woman to represent Western Australia in the Senate. She was originally appointed to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Rachel Siewert in 2021, and was then elected as the Greens' lead Senate candidate in Western Australia at the 2022 federal election.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse" (PDF). Murdoch. 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 Claire Condry (31 August 2010). "Gina Williams and The Lubbly Sings". Australian Stage. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Kalyakoorl and Boorda Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse". Ted X Perth. November 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Monica Tan (28 March 2015). "Gina Williams on why every Australian should know some Indigenous words". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 "Finding her voice". RAC. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse". Bunbury Entertainment. 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Shop Online". Gina Williams. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Meet Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, who craft Noongar lullabies with Koorlangka". Pilerats. May 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "Five copies to giveaway of Gina Williams' new book Wanjoo". WAM. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  10. ↑ Nicolette Barbas (11 February 2021). "Give a big "Wanjoo" to Gina and Guy". SW Times. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  11. ↑ "Ms Gina Williams". It's An Honour. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "Board of Directors : Australian Music Centre". www.australianmusiccentre.com.au. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  13. ↑ https://perthcabaret.com.au/about/ Perth International Cabaret Festival
  14. ↑ "Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse - Bindi Bindi Album Launch". Facebook. April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "Koorlangka". Apple Music. February 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  16. ↑ "Western Australia Women Hall of Fame". Western Australia Women Hall of Fame. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.