Peter Rotumah
Peter Rotumah
is a highly respected singer/songwriter and activist
who continues to work tirelessly, fighting for the rights of Indigenous
people. Peter is deeply committed to the struggle of oppressed people
– his music and message is a powerful testament to this.
His first album, Need For Freedom, was recorded in 1988. After many years
on the live music circuit, Peter is in the throes of recording a long
awaited and much anticipated second album, scheduled for release at the
end of this year.
Peter lived most of his early life in his mother’s country of Gunditj-mara,
in Western Victoria before coming to Melbourne in the early 1960’s.
He has also maintained a strong connection with his father’s country
of Bunitj in North Western Arnhemland.
His interest in songwriting was sparked in the early 1970’s after
listening to such great musicians as Aboriginal activist/songwriter, Bob
McLeod and the legendary, Bob Marley.
In the 80’s Peter studied at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in
Music, in Adelaide, where he wrote his most well known songs; Aborigine
Child, Need for Freedom, Struggle No More, Dreamtime.
Peter’s band history includes Djaambi, Hard Times, Stray Blacks
and Breakaway to name only a few of the many groups he has been a part
of.
Peter has since ventured into theatre, composing sound and music for Indigenous
playwright, John Harding’s highly successful plays; No Parking,
Circus Tarrangos, a Koori Children’s Circus and Blak Inside 2002
series, Ilbijerri Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Theatre Company, produced
in conjunction with the Playbox Theatre Company.
He has also sung and acted in Magpie written by Indigenous playwright,
Richard Frankland and Melissa Reeves. Peter also acted in Richard’s
highly emotional and hard-hitting play Conversations with the Dead, a
feature of the Blak Inside 2002 series performed at the Playbox Theatre.
