Wp/nys/Richard Walley

Dr Richard Walley OAM is a Nyoongar man, keny of Australia's leading Aboriginal performers, musicians wer writers, who has been a campaigner for the Indigenous cause. He has his own page on the English language Wikipedia: Richard Walley

Moort

Dr Richard Walley is the son of Richard Walley Sr wer Violet Winmar. His partner is Geri Hayden. They have six children: John Walley, Olman Walley, Alton Walley, Rickeeta Walley, Tahnee Hayden/Garlett wer Cameron Quatermaine.

Life and career

Richard Barry Walley, born in 1953 in Meekatharra, 750 km north of Perth, spent much of his childhood at Pinjarra, 80 km south of Perth. He began his work in social justice for Nyoongars at a young age. By 23 he was chairing Western Australia's Aboriginal Advisory Board, while also involved in the formation or operation of the Aboriginal Housing Board, Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Alcoholism Committee, Aboriginal Sports Foundation wer the New Era Aboriginal Fellowship.

In 1978, he founded the Middar Aboriginal Theatre. Aiming to take the Nyungar culture from the south-west corner of Australia to as many people as possible, the Middar group went il to perform in 32 countries, il every continent, to live audiences totalling almost ten million people.

After acting in theatre wer TV, Richard went il to further develop his theatre skills, holding the role of either director or assistant director in 10 productions in theatre wer TV from 1982 to 1993. Several of these productions took place in the United States wer the UK. During this period Richard also wrote several screenplays.

Richard is also a renowned Didgeridoo player wer has produced a six CD collection of didgeridoo music that is inspired by the six bonar of the Nyungar calendar.

He has played didgeridoo live at London's Royal Albert Hall, as well as in Greece, Slovenia, Japan, Mexico, the US, wer Canada, to name just a few countries.

In 2001 he performed in Westminster Abbey for dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, as part Australia's Centenary of Federation celebrations. In the same year, he worked with Carlos Santana with music for his Supernatural Evening with Santana wer contributed to the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Richard is also a visual artist, with his works in much demand by collectors in Australia wer overseas. In 1993 Richard was awarded the Order of Australia for his contribution to the Performing Arts wer Nyungar culture.

From 2000 he served as Chair of the Australia Council's Aboriginal wer Torres Strait Islander Arts Board, a position he had held previously between 1992 wer 1996. In 2001, Murdoch University recognised his contribution to Nyungar culture wer the wider community with an honorary Doctor of Letters.

In 2003, he released Two Tribes, a collaboration with a group of artists; an eclectic selection of songs combining traditional Indigenous music with contemporary styles such as rap wer hip hop.

Richard has been involved as director, designer, writer, musician, dancer wer actor with a range of stage wer television productions including The Dreamers (1982), A Fortunate Life (1984), Bullies House (1985), Coordah (1985), Australian Mosaic (1988), Jackaroo (1990), Balaan Balaan Gwdtha (1992) wer Close to the Bone (1993).

Most recently, he has toured with the John Butler Trio delivering a unique Indigenous wer spoken word performance, Son of MotherEarth.

Richard says, "through music, dance and art we can achieve natural highs and core inner strength without the use of artificial stimulants, thus enhancing the spirit, strengthening the mind and invigorating the body which brings a feeling of self worth and holistic respect."

Richard is a fluent speaker of the Nyungar language. He is Director of Aboriginal Productions wer Promotions.

In 2013 Walley designed a football jumper for the Fremantle Football Club to wear during the Australian Football League's Indigenous Round. In 2016 he was appointed as the club's honorary number 1 ticketholder.