17 artists including Annie Hamilton, Didirri, Elana Stone, Jaida Stephenson, Stella Donnelly, Sunny Luwe & Tim Shiel will be attending the transformative environmental leadership retreat this September.

We're proud to announce the 17 participants selected to attend the transformative Sound Country Artist Leadership Retreat this September at the Spring Bay Mill in lutruwita/Tasmania.

The four-day immersive environmental leadership program features a stellar roster of 2024 participants from across the country including: Annie Hamilton, Beckah Amani, Camilla Rose Sullivan, Charlie Mgee (Formidable Vegetable), Dale Tanner (Ocean Grove), Didirri, Elana Stone, EWAH, Gailla, Jaida Stephenson (Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers), Myki Jay, Nicole Murphy, Noelani (MONRXE), Stella Donnelly, Sunny Luwe and Tim Shiel.

Using our newly re-released resource Sound Country: A Green Artist Guide as a central toolkit for change, the transformative program will offer participants a chance to learn from experienced leadership facilitators, gain critical skills, and build community at the intersection of environment, climate, system change, and music.⁠

The 2024 retreat follows the success of the inaugural program, delivered in partnership with Women's Environmental Leadership Australia. The 2023 retreat saw artists including Alice Ivy, Alice Skye, Angie McMahon, Beatrice Lewis of Haiku Hands, Eliza Hull, Jess Ribeiro, Kee’ahn, Kira Puru, Little Green and Milan Ring connect and enhance their capacity to advocate for a better future. Watch the recap video here.

Green Music Australia Chair Tracee Hutchison says “We are living in challenging times - socially, culturally, politically, economically - and, increasingly, our little blue planet is struggling with some of the harshest impacts of the climate emergency. This is no longer an existential threat - we are living it. Yet, in the harshest times, we turn to music. And, in the words of Maya Angelou, still we rise… Artists play an incredibly important role in driving cultural change. Their music touches us - it evokes emotions, connects us, and builds community. Music makes us believe in hope and possibility. Green Music Australia is proud to be offering this unique and enriching opportunity to this group of talented artists and I’m looking forward to seeing how they carry their experience forward to ignite and inspire change.”

Participant and musician Tim Shiel says: “The climate challenge is a cultural challenge, and right now we need artists more than ever. We need to empower artists to create work that inspires transformative thinking, that renews connection not just with each other but with the land we are all custodians of. Like so many other people in the world I want to see urgent change in the world around me but I don't always know where to start, can't always see the way forward. That's why I'm humbled to be given this opportunity to listen and learn, spend time with some like minds, and hopefully gather some insights and learnings that I can take back to my own friends & networks”.

Artist Didirri says: “I'm delighted at the opportunity to connect with other artists and thought leaders in our extended Australian community. Two of my greatest passions are caring for country and community specifically within the bounds of music making. As a result I am very much honoured and excited to be inspired and pushed into new ways of thinking about leadership in our ever changing Australian context. I'd like to thank Green Music Australia for allowing me to be a part of this.”

Artist Sunny Luwe says “I’ve always been a bit of a hippy at heart, and being a Wayilwan woman - caring for Country and the Earth is in my blood. I am so excited to spend time with other eco-activists and garner more inspiration to take meaningful actions to care for our earth, and use my art and platform as a vehicle to do that.  Art has the power to change the world, and with a pure intention, and heart-driven action, I really think we can all help make the world a nicer place.”

Artist Beckah Amani says “I'm beyond excited to be taking part in the upcoming Sound Country Artist Leadership Retreat! As an emerging artist, I'm looking forward to deepening my understanding around what sustainable touring looks like and developing relationships with other artists who are just as passionate about the environment as I am. I look forward to building leadership skills that I hope I will be able to take back into my little world of music and encourage others in the different music spaces I find myself in.”

Sound Country Artist Leadership Retreat Participants:
Annie Hamilton
Beckah Amani
Camilla Rose Sullivan
Charlie Mgee (Formidable Vegetable)
Dale Tanner (Ocean Grove)
Didirri
Elana Stone
EWAH
Gailla
Jaida Stephenson (Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers)
Myki Jay
Nicole Murphy
Noelani (MONRXE)
Stella Donnelly
Sunny Luwe
Tim Shiel

A range of subsidised program fees have been provided thanks to the support of the NSW Government through Create NSW and philanthropic partners, the Water Dragon Endowment, a part of the Community Impact Foundation.

For interview requests and further information:

Please contact Georgia Cooke at Green Music Australia: [email protected]