Coloured Stone facts for kids

Coloured Stone is a famous Aboriginal Australian band. Their music mixes rock, ska, reggae, and funk. The band started in 1977 and is still making music today!

The band members come from the Koonibba community in South Australia. They use electric guitars, bass, and drums, but also traditional Aboriginal instruments. These include the didjeridu, the bundawuthada (which is a special gong stone), and clap sticks. This blend of old and new sounds helps them create their unique style.

One of their well-known songs, "Mouydjengara," is a whale-dreaming song. It comes from the Mirning people, who have deep connections to the ocean and its stories.

Meet the Band Members

Bunna Lawrie (Feb 2012)

Coloured Stone was first formed by three brothers and their nephew. The founding members were Bunna Lawrie (who sang lead vocals and played drums), Neil Coaby (rhythm guitar), Mackie Coaby (bass guitar), and Bruce 'Bunny' Mundy (lead guitar). All of them grew up in Koonibba, South Australia.

Bunna Lawrie is a very important member of the Mirning people. He is an elder, a whale-dreamer, and a storyteller. He is also the main songwriter for Coloured Stone. His songs often share stories and messages from his culture.

In 1984, Coloured Stone released a song called "Black Boy." It became a huge hit, even reaching number one in Fiji! The song had a powerful message: "Black boy, black boy, the colour of your skin is your pride and joy." This was a very important and inspiring message for Aboriginal people at that time.

Bunna Lawrie's son, Jason Scott, also played with Coloured Stone from a young age. He played guitar, bass, drums, and didgeridoo. Jason has performed in many big venues, including the Sydney Opera House. He even toured the United States as part of a cultural exchange program.

Today, the band includes Bunna Lawrie (vocals, guitar, didgeridoo, gong stone), Selwyn Burns (lead guitar, vocals), Peter Hood (drums), and Cee Cee Honeybee (backing vocals). They also have other guest musicians who join them.

Supporting Important Causes

Coloured Stone doesn't just make music; they also use their platform to support important Aboriginal causes. They have performed at many events to raise awareness and support for Indigenous rights.

For example, in 1998, the band played a concert in support of the Mirrar people. The Mirrar people were protesting against a uranium mine on their traditional land. Coloured Stone played on a makeshift stage right at the protest site, showing their strong support.

Bunna Lawrie also helps young Aboriginal people learn about music. In 2001, he led a songwriting workshop for youth in Yarrabah. The young people learned to play instruments and write their own songs. At the end, some of them even got to record their song, "One Fire," in a professional studio!

Music Releases

Coloured Stone has released many albums and singles over the years. Here are some of their main albums:

• Koonibba Rock (1984)
• Island of Greed (1985)
• Human Love (1986)
• Wild Desert Rose (1988)
• Crazy Mind (1990)
• Inma Juju Dance Music (1991)
• Rhythm of Nature (1998)
• I Dance to the Sun (2013)

They have also released popular singles like "Black Boy" and "Dancing in the Moonlight."

Awards and Achievements

Coloured Stone and Bunna Lawrie have won many awards for their music and their contributions to the community.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are a big event in Australia that celebrates the best music.

Deadly Awards

The Deadly Awards were a special event that celebrated the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in music, sport, and entertainment.

Don Banks Music Award

The Don Banks Music Award is a very important award given to artists who have made a huge and lasting contribution to music in Australia.

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards celebrate music from the state of Victoria, Australia.

National Indigenous Music Awards

The National Indigenous Music Awards celebrate the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians in Australia.

Other Awards

Coloured Stone has also received other special recognitions:

• In 1978, they won First Prize for Best Band at Perth's 3rd National Aboriginal Country Music Festival Talent.
• In the same festival, their song "Dancing in the Moonlight" won Best Original Song.
• In 1995, they received the Brian Syron Scholarship Award for their contribution to Aboriginal music.
• In 2012, Bunna Lawrie received the National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award, which is a huge honor for his lifelong work.