Michael Connelly
Social
and Community Entrepreneur, Aboriginal Artist
/ Craftsman, Didgeridoo Performer and Indigenous
Boxing Advocate
Michael is an aboriginal from Charleville, south
west Queensland and a descendant of the Kullilla
tribe from the Thargomindah/Eulo region [on
his father’s side] and of the Muruwari
People from north-west New South Wales [on
his mother’s side] who can trace their
traditional trade and diplomatic links with Central
Desert as well as South Australian and Northern
New South Wales’ Aboriginal Communities.
Together with this rich indigenous background
and unique style of interpretation of his cultural
heritage. Michael is able to represent a unique
perspective in the visual and performing arts.
This is evident in his artwork, craftsmanship,
didgeridoo playing and storytelling as a result
of blending his own contemporary or urban indigenous
style with the traditional style of the Kullilla
Peoples under his business name of Dreamtime Kullilla-Art.
Michael
has been blessed with the gift of art that has
been passed on to him by the spirits of his ancestors.
Michael’s works of art are his interpretation
of the lovely Dreamtime stories and legends.
He is able to combine modern art materials and
techniques with traditional patterns, styles and
subject matter. Michael has exhibited a
select range of his artworks with a variety of
Galleries in and around Brisbane and, internationally
[Malta]. Currently Michael has artworks
on display at the at the shop/gallery in Eumundi
– The Dilly Bag Dreamtime Place.
Michael
is also the artist/designer and producer of the
very first ever Aboriginal Australia numberplate
to be made commercially available in Queensland,
now launched in Victoria and soon to become available
Australia-wide.
The
didgeridoos Michael creates are made from the
timber found in his territory of southwest Queensland.
This timber of course is naturally termite-hollowed
eucalyptus. The didgeridoos are all handcrafted
by Michael and all individually handpainted using
his own unique design expressing different traditional
forms. Consequently, each didgeridoo is
not only a unique piece of art but also a masterfully
crafted musical instrument with high tonal quality.
Apart
from his works of art and craft, Michael is quite
an accomplished didgeridoo player and performer.
He has been playing the didgeridoo for a number
of years and has made a number of appearances
throughout Brisbane and local areas performing
and teaching the art of playing the didgeridoo.
Michael has been invited to perform in Brunei,
Worldwide Aussie Convention in Brisbane and for
the President of Ireland at the Brisbane Convention
Centre. He has also recorded a CD with the
Queensland Irish Pipe Band that incorporates his
sound of the didgeridoo with their pipes and drums
– a truly magical blend - given Michael’s
heritage as half Irish/Aboriginal. Michael
has also performed at a number of opening ceremonies
for various corporate and Government functions
and conventions in and around Brisbane over the
years. Michael was invited to perform with
the Maltese National Orchestra in Malta as part
of Malta’s 40th anniversary of Independence
Day celebrations held in September 2004.
In February 2006 at the International Film Festival
in Mombai, India Michael was invited to give a
Cultural performance and also at the launch of
theAusArts program in Kolkata [Calcutta], India.
Michael was also invited to perform [didgeridoo]
with the International Handbell Orchestra [approx
2,000 handbells] and musical choir in August 2006
in Brisbane. Recently Michael traveled to
Singapore at the invitation of Discovery Channel
to launch their new program highlighting the Australian
culture. Michael is also part of the National
Indigenous Leadership Program which brings National
Indigenous Leaders [men, women and youth] together
to advise Government on Indigenous issues and
to assist with Policy.
It
is Michael’s ambition in life to be able
to take his Kullilla elders “home”
and continue the culture and heritage of his tribe
and to encourage everyone to learn to respect
the need for all Aboriginal people to continue
to learn and practice their culture.
More importantly, to stop the exploitation and
imitation of the art, the culture and heritage
of his People.
Cultural
Ambassador to:
The Australian Indigenous Youth Soccer Team “The
Crocodiles”
The
Australian Indigenous Amateur Boxing Team 2007
PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP
I
am the Cultural Ambassador for the Australian
Indigenous Boxing Team and we are desperately
trying to raise enough funds so these boys can
participate in an International Cultural Exchange
tournament with Fiji in October. Unfortunately
the problem we face is that there is absolutely
no support anywhere for National Indigenous
Sporting teams. The Australian Sporting
Commission only looks at "developmental" support
- if you are a National Team then you are
not developmental - so consequently
no funding ALSO the Australian Sports Commission
has advised that their funding guidelines, as
set by the Dept. Communications Information
Technology and the Arts, do not allow them to
support Indigenous only teams or events SO
WHAT CHANCE DO WE HAVE???? Plus having an amateur
status you need a world ranking to get any Govt
sponsorship. We need to raise approx $40,000
by 1st October or our boys miss out.
My
idea is to ask 40,000 people for $1.00 each to
support the team and we will have our funding
- how hard can that be? We represent
2% of the Australian population which equates
to approximately 500,000 Aboriginal & TSI
People which is $500,000 so surely we can make
our target of $40,000 +. This opportunity
will give them the confidence and experience
to be a real contender for the Olympic Team
- this will be the stepping stone to the World
stage. Already we have 5 boxers awarded
NTID scholarships and currently training at
the AIS
Many
of these boys have given up drinking - given
up smoking - given up taking drugs and committed
themselves 100% to being a better person and
have become truly great role models for the
younger and upcoming players - nearly all of
them now have jobs and working real hard both
in the work force and in the ring and they have
given me a pledge to keep on fighting and I
have given them my pledge to do all I can to
be able to get them to Fiji - to participate
in an International Tournament - a valuable
preliminary tournament to the Australian Olympic
Boxing trials and believe me - these boys are
ready for that Olympic ring.
All
I am asking is the opportunity for our story
to get some media attention so we can more attention
to the fundraising and possible sponsorships/contributions. This
is an Australian Indigenous Team with young indigenous
boys from all over Australia so that.
Please
can you run our story.
We
need to have raised the money by 1st October
to be able to confirm our participation - the
biggest expense is the airfares to Fiji for
20 [13 boxers and 7 officials]. Can you please
ring me for an interview or contact Syl Johns
[AIABT Manager 0409091941].
This
team is fully sanctioned by Boxing Australia.
Many
thanks
Michael
Connolly
Cultural
Ambassador - AIABT 2007
Fundraising
Campaign Manager
Dreamtime
Kullilla-Art
Authentic
Aboriginal Art & Craft
by Michael J Connolly
63
Sportsground Street [PO Box 137]
REDCLIFFE
QLD 4020
Tel:
(07) 3880 1320
Fax:
(07) 3880 0479
Profiles
Australian Indigenous Boxing Team
Boxing
Arts
Australian
Indigenous Touch Football Team
Aboriginal Media Directory
|