Photo caption: Celebrating an $888,684 State Government grant to construct Mad Proppa Deadly’s new music studios in Armidale, AJ Sharpley, left, Houghton Weatherall, Ben Sowden, Mad Proppa Deadly Managing Director Nate Weatherall, Harrimiah Lansborough, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Dajarn Weatherall, Executive Officer and Co-founder Alex Gardner-Marlin and Caroline Ashby.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
SINGING to the sweet tune of a $888,684 State Government grant, Indigenous organisation Mad Proppa Deadly is setting up new music studios at Armidale’s New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM), Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
Mr Marshall said he was thrilled to tour through the new studio space, which would be used to develop music skills and confidence in Indigenous youth.
“Armidale’s Old Teacher’s College, the home of the New England Conservatorium of Music, is playing host to the new studios and it was terrific to have a look through at the work already being done to establish Mad Proppa Deadly’s new permanent digs,”
Mr Marshall said.
“The funding will help build industry standard music studios and creative spaces to equip regional and remote young people with writing, music, production, and storytelling technology skills.
“Whether recording on a keyboard, singing, or using the latest technology to assemble a music composition – it is a fantastic opportunity to foster connection and expression for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
“It will certainly help bring music to life and will be an important platform for regional storytelling through music.”
Mad Proppa Deadly Managing Director Nate Weatherall said he was grateful to receive the funding to set up the new studios.
“Growing up in the region we never had the opportunity to step into a space that offers you a chance to be creative and have an outlet,” Mr Weatherall said.
“Maybe once in a blue moon you might have a non-Indigenous organisation come up to the youth centre and do one-off workshops.
“That’s not sustainable for creativity and community but now we have a space to call our own and be able to offer it to young people in the community.
“It is a safe space to nurture creativity and support.”
Mr Marshall said Mad Proppa Deadly secured the funds under the previous State Government’s Regional Youth Investment Program and had signed a lease with the NSW Department of Education, which manages the NECOM building.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to nurture creativity and foster musical talent and I cannot wait to visit again once the studios are complete,” he said.