Richard Walley facts for kids

Richard Barry Walley (born in 1953) is a Nyungar man from Australia. He is a talented performer, musician, and writer. Richard Walley has also worked hard to help and support Indigenous people. He is also a visual artist, which means he creates art.

Life and Work

Richard Walley was born in 1953 in a place called Meekatharra, which is about 750 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia. He spent much of his childhood in Pinjarra, about 80 kilometres south of Perth. From a young age, he started working for social justice for Indigenous Australians in the Perth area, which is Nyungar country.

He is famous for helping to create the modern "welcome to country" ceremony. In 1976, he and his friend Ernie Dingo made a special ceremony to welcome some Māori artists. These artists were visiting for the Perth International Arts Festival. A "Welcome to Country" is a special ceremony performed by Indigenous Elders or Traditional Owners. It welcomes visitors to their traditional land.

In 1978, Richard Walley started the Middar Aboriginal Theatre with three friends, including Ernie Dingo. He had met Ernie playing basketball. Richard quickly saw how powerful theatre could be to share important messages with everyone, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The Middar group wanted to share the Nyungar culture from Western Australia with as many people as possible. They performed in 32 countries around the world. Almost ten million people watched their shows live!

Richard Walley also worked as a director or assistant director for many theatre and TV shows between 1982 and 1993. Some of these shows were in the United States and the UK. In 1990, his play Munjong was performed for the first time.

In 1993, Richard Walley received the Order of Australia Medal. This special award was given to him for his amazing work in performing arts and for sharing Nyungar culture.

Richard Walley is also a well-known didgeridoo player. He has made a collection of six didgeridoo music CDs. These CDs are inspired by the six seasons of the Nyungar calendar. He has played the didgeridoo live in many famous places, like London's Royal Albert Hall. He has also performed in Greece, Slovenia, Japan, Mexico, the US, and Canada.

From 2000, he was the Chair of the Australia Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board. He had also held this important position before, from 1992 to 1996. This role involves helping to support and promote Indigenous arts.

In 2001, Murdoch University in Western Australia gave him an honorary Doctorate of Letters. This was to recognise his great contributions to Nyungar culture and the wider community.

Also in 2001, he performed in Westminster Abbey in London for important people, including Queen Elizabeth II. This was part of Australia's Centenary of Federation celebrations.

Richard Walley has been involved in many stage and television shows. He has worked as a director, designer, writer, musician, dancer, and actor. Some of his works include The Dreamers (1982), A Fortunate Life (1984), and Jackaroo (1990).

He speaks the Nyungar language very well. He is also a skilled visual artist, creating beautiful artworks.

In 2013, Richard Walley designed a special football jumper for the Fremantle Football Club. They wore this jumper during the Australian Football League's Indigenous Round. In 2016, he was made the club's honorary number 1 ticketholder.

Music Albums

Richard Walley has released several music albums. Here are some of them:

• Bilya (1990)
• Kooyar (1995)
• Yoowintj (1995)
• Waitch (1995)
• Carda (1996)
• Boolong (1996)
• Two Tribes (2003)
• Two Roads (2005)

Awards

Richard Walley has won awards for his contributions to music and culture.

West Australian Music Industry Awards

The West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMIs) are awards given each year to musicians in Western Australia. Richard Walley has won one of these awards.

• In 2006, he won the award for Best Indigenous Act.