Voices of the Land: Shellie Morris AO
Performing Arts Centre (Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance)
Monash University Clayton Campus
FREE TICKETED EVENT
Visionary artist Dr. Shellie Morris AO creates music that bridges cultures, uplifts communities and honours the enduring strength of First Nations languages. As part of her residency in the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, students from the School will join Shellie Morris on stage in a special lunchtime performance celebrating connection, storytelling and the healing power of song.
With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Shellie Morris AO has has become one of Australia’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, renowned for her poignant storytelling, infectious humour, and unwavering dedication to healing through music.
Born from a journey of both connection and disconnection, Shellie’s work is rooted in the profound belief that every voice matters. She empowers individuals and communities by fostering spaces where people are heard, valued and inspired to reclaim their stories. In May 2025 she was recognised for her achievements in the arts with a Red Ochre Award; testament to her peers’ respect for her work both on international stages and in remote parts of the continent.
While her accolades – from the Black Arm Band and Deadly Awards to ARIA nominations, the NAIDOC National Artist of the Year, the G.R. Burarrawanga Memorial Award and being named 2014 NT Australian of the Year – speak to her national acclaim, it is on the ground where her impact is most deeply felt. Shellie works closely with communities, reaffirming identity and nurturing resilience through music.
Shellie’s commitment to language preservation is unparalleled. She creates and performs music in more than 20 Aboriginal languages, many of which are considered “sleeping” or on the brink of being lost. Since reconnecting with her own Wardaman and Yanyuwa heritage over two decades ago, she has dedicated herself to revitalising these languages, ensuring they are celebrated and passed on to future generations.
Her landmark album Ngambala Wiji li-Wunungu (Together We Are Strong) and the internationally award-winning documentary Prison Songs have been recognised for their cultural significance and humanitarian impact. Prison Songs was nominated for five AACTA awards (including Best Sound and Score), received ATOM Awards for Best Indigenous Resource and was shortlisted for a Walkley Documentary Award.
Through her music, workshops, and advocacy, Dr Shellie Morris AO continues to elevate female voices, preserve First Languages, and inspire a new generation to find strength and pride.
