THE RESEARCH
Searching for songs from the Missions Era
Song Hunting & Gathering
Jessie Lloyd first became curious about the songs form the Aboriginal reserves or the mission days when she heard her Aunties singing an old tune from Palm Island called ‘The Irex’. The Irex was the boat that used to transport the stolen generation children and those removed under the Aborigines Protection Act in the early to mid 20th century. This song was what the families used to sing as they didnt know if they would see their loved ones again. Jessie was curious to see if other families and communities had similar songs from their mission days.
She approached Songman Archie Roach and Professor Marcia Langton for direction and advice on how to begin the historic task and began the Mission Songs Project.
