FFFAIF member and leader of the ‘Connecting Spirits’ Group – a joint project involving students from Birdwood High and Meningie Area Schools, South Australia – Julie Reece extends an invitation to:
THE LAUNCH
THE ‘CONNECTING SPIRITS’ CD
ORIGINAL SONGS WRITTEN AND PERFORMED
BY FLO BOURKE AND RITA LINDSAY
*Wednesday April 22nd 7.00 p.m.
*Irish Club in Carrington Street, Adelaide
*Complimentary drinks and nibbles on arrival followed by the launch
*Complimentary copy of the book ‘Connecting Spirits 2006’ to all who attend the launch
*Cost $20 per person
You are invited to the launch of the ‘Connecting Spirits’ CD of original songs written and performed by Flo Bourke and Rita Lindsay. Both Flo and Rita were members of the 2006 Connecting Spirits Commemorative trip to the WW1 battlefields, a joint project involving students from Birdwood High and Meningie Area Schools. In 2008 a second ‘Connecting Spirits’ tour took place and over the two projects 150 soldiers have been individually researched and commemorated at the cemeteries and memorials in Europe. (See our website for accounts of the soldiers’ stories and our two trips thus far: www.connectingspirits.com.au)
While on tour in 2006 both Flo and Rita were inspired by the stories of these men and the sacrifices they and their families made in wartime and expressed their feelings and personal responses to the story of the Great War, through music. The CD produced has a range of songs that deal with the tragedy and horror of the war and how it has impacted on the men of 1914 -18 and the generations that followed. The lack of recognition given to indigenous soldiers is a powerful thread through the music of Rita Lindsay and she brings to the WW1 story a very special voice on this little known aspect of our wartime past. While on tour in 2008, Flo as one of the Youth Leaders performed her songs at the original locations she was inspired by in 2006. The footage of Flo singing at Talbot House in Poperinge on the WW1 piano the men used in that period will be featured at the launch as part of the media presentation.
A booklet outlining the historical and personal context of each of the songs on the CD as well as the inclusion of relevant website addresses, will accompany each CD. It is intended that teachers across primary, middle and senior years of schooling can then incorporate the CD into their curriculum and be a powerful and emotive resource for special events and assemblies in the lead up to ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. It will also provide a role model to other young people about the importance of learning about our wartime past and the need to acknowledge all Australians in the past and present who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
We look forward to sharing our special night with you in the lead up to ANZAC Day. Could you please RSVP to Julie Reece at reecy@chariot.net.au. Tickets will either be posted or set aside for you on arrival at the launch. There is a limit on the number of tickets for sale so get in early.
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If you are interested in ordering a copy of the CD please contact Julie Reece at reecy@chariot.net.au
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The Families and Friends of the First AIF thanks the Australian, UK and French governments for affording Australian and British soldiers – presently buried in mass graves at Pheasant Wood – dignified individual reburials in a new CWGC cemetery at Fromelles, and applauds Minister Snowdon and his British counterpart, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones MP, for their joint decision to DNA test the remains at exhumation and use every reasonable method to attempt identification of each soldier.