In a blacked-out hall, the spotlight followed Dewayne Everettsmith as he came onstage to open this evening’s performance. First, he shared a small snippet of his own story. At 35 he is the oldest living member of his family, his lived experience the legacy of the Stolen Generations. It was a powerful introduction to an evening that was not about pain or blame. Rather, it was an unforgettable glimpse of how Australia could be if we united in celebration of our differences, our similarities, our histories and traditions.

Everettsmith ended by singing the Welcome to Country in his own language, with a voice that carried the traditions of First Nations people since the beginning of time. This was a Welcome to Country like no other – it was an invitation to join him on a journey to the heart of his culture.

William Barton performing with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in its Obscura II – milaythina concert, May 2022. Photo © Caleb Miller.

The program notes described the evening as an ‘[immersion]...