Brisbane musicians and community development workers rallied to the cause and joined with asylum seekers to ‘workshop’ themes of significance. Songs were crafted and subsequently recorded which highlight “their escape and thirst for freedom – their haunting journeys to (places unknown – their celebration of the need for one another and the resilience which has characterised their survival …”

The resultant album was described by Shane Stuart of ABC Music as “flawless and absolutely wonderful”. It has been enthusiastically taken up by Amnesty International and the ‘New Internationalist’ – the August 2002 edition of which includes a review of the album:

”this astonishingly professional album, one that has deservedly picked up a clutch of awards, is rich with humanity and hope, pain and patience as asylum seekers from around the globe come together to put the story of their lives to us in music”.

It was used extensively by the United Nations in East Timor to encourage full participation in the emerging country’s first democratic elections. Newly-elected President Xanana Gusmao made contact with the Scattered People production team in appreciation.

The Scattered People album is a celebration of the diversity and the common ground accessible via music. The asylum seekers are able to share their message of struggle, hope and strength across the airwaves. 

Perhaps in their music their voices will at last be heard. 

Resilience

Bringing the voices, songs and poems of asylum seekers to life