From painter to performer, Phil Walleystack is living the dream

EXCLUSIVE

By PETER ROWE

For Phil Walleystack it’s all about living the dream – and since 1985 this immensely talented performer has been doing just that.

Next week Phil will not just be a performer, but will be one of many Indigenous artists showcasing their talents in the Western Australian city of Mandurah (November 11) and Northam four days later.

The 90-minute free concerts, aptly named Yarning Singing – will see the Pabai Sisters, Indigo Ellis and Bobby Bennell and standup comedian Kevin Kropinyeri flying in from South Australia to put a smile on the faces of his audience.

“It’s all about that, smiling and enjoying what you do and what you are,” Phil said, exclusively telling Ibnews.com.au his amazing life story working in the arts.

It wasn’t all arts though, there was a time he was a painter and decorator – and if his switch to performing hadn’t succeeded 17 years ago, he promised his wife he would go back to being a house painter.

“I recently paid someone else to paint my house,” he joked.

Raised in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, proud Noongar man Phil trained through WA Performing Arts (WAPA) and studied dance in Sydney before moving back to Perth, marrying and settling down to eventually make music and perform.

“I always wanted to perform, to act, to sing,” Phil said. “It’s been with me since I was a kid putting on a show at primary school and now I can also help young talented kids who want to follow the same path in the arts to achieve their dreams.”

After many years travelling the world performing the Covid lockdown forced him to reassess his professional life and that was where the idea for the Indigenous Arts Foundation was born.

“We couldn’t go anywhere, so we started performing on Facebook. It was called the ‘Isolation Tour’.

“We had time on our hands and it grew from there.”

Indigenous Arts Foundation, sponsored by the Minderoo Foundation at the time (he is looking for a new sponsor) gives young talent the opportunity to work in the arts industry.

That could be on stage as a performer, or back stage in the many jobs that exist.

“The industry offers so many options, so we try and help young people achieve their goals,” Phil said.

As well as the shows – the tow next week – Phil’s team also offer free workshops for aspiring talent called ‘See it … Be it’.

“Where they get the chance to work with us and we can see if they have the fire in their bellies to achieve success.

“A five-day camp where they are exposed to the arts, with visits and workshops and mentoring, where every night we have a ‘yarn’ and talk about what they want to do – in a safe place.”

For Phil it’s a business, but it’s also about bringing together communities, helping establish identities and “doing the right thing”.

“I just want to show our young people they can find a career in the arts, they can be the ‘big mouth’ the performer and they can get paid for it,” Phil added.

“Ernie Dingo told me he wished something like this was around when he was growing up.”

Sadly, Ernie can’t be at the events next week, but the talent that will be on show is amazing.

From the vibrant heart of Noongar Boodjar, emerges Indigo Ellis, a prodigious talent whose voice transcends the ordinary, weaving stories of heritage and heart.

At just 18-years-old, Indigo has already carved a niche in the music world with her evocative vocals and profound connection to her Noongar Nunga roots.

Indigenous singer-songwriter Bobby Bennell has been singing since he was a child and has had a consistent connection and love for music throughout his childhood.

Bobby is committed to shedding light on injustices faced by Aboriginal people now and throughout history, empowering his mob and community and expressing himself as an Indigenous young person through song and his artistry.

“My mum is Noongar Yamatji, my Dad is Koori from Victoria and Yolngu from North-East Arnhem Land. Dad’s father was late David Gulpilil,” Bobby said.

“I was born in Geelong, Victoria, but grew up in Perth.”

“The music I make is about pride and identity and culture as a young aboriginal male.”

Tahlia and Lauren Pabai are two sisters from Perth who love performing.

The sisters are both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with connections to the Ballardong, Pindjarup, Palyku tribes in W.A and Boigu Island in the Torres Strait.

They both love everything to do with their cultures, and have recorded a few songs with their dad in their home studio, which are available on Soundcloud.

Singer-songwriter, Lachy John, is a proud Nyoongar artist based in Walyalup (Fremantle), WA.

Influenced by some of Australia’s best musical story-tellers, Lachy John writes punchy tunes and folky tales reflective of his life experiences and values, and often uses themes of his Indigenous heritage, Indigenous hardship and the beauty of culture and connection to country in his writing.

Jamie Garlett is a proud Noongar man. A singer-songwriter and guitar player, Jamie’s songs are all original songs that he has written himself about his life experiences.

Jamie is blind and hopes to inspire the disability community to reach for their dreams.

* The two FREE concerts are on November 11 (Mandurah Performing Arts Centre) and November 15 (Soundshell, Northam).