The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is set to infuse a “modern Australia” into its graduation process.

Students previously graduated to the tune of classical Danish music as part of the ceremony’s academic procession.

The music will now be swapped for an Indigenous representation by UniSC Honorary and Adjunct Uncle Kevin Starkey.

He uses ancient and pre-colonial instruments, with modern replicas of traditional instruments, including the yidaki (didgeridoo).

Uncle Starkey – who named the composition, “Oro Yarta Milyarra”, meaning Northwind Country Ceremony – says the music is befitting of a “coming of the knowledge holders”.

“I want them to feel connected, emotional, excited, engaged,” he says.

“I want it to be a piece of music they will go away and remember it was for them. Delivered for them.”

Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music Dr Lachlan Goold, AKA Magoo, recorded the song at the uni’s state-of-the-art studios.

Dr Goold has previously recorded for major acts such as Powderfinger and Midnight Oil.

The original score is the result of extensive consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country.

Drawing on his extensive music career

Uncle Starkey, was born and raised on Gubbi Gubbi country, in traditional Narungga/Adnyamamathanha and Saibai country.

He is a Senior Fellow of UniSC and an Elder in residence at Queensland Music, and a cultural advisor to State and Federal Governments.

He has had also enjoyed an extensive music career.

Uncle Starkey established Australia’s first-and-only, privately-owned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island record label, Darkwood Studio Record Label Service.

This project with the university took him more than a year to research and record the music at natural landmarks.

It included an abandoned train tunnel with incredible acoustics.

Listening to songs and sounds at ceremonies across many communities, helped Uncle Starkey build cultural connections through Torres Strait Island, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

“I’ve been drawing from ceremonies I’ve been involved in over the years; different sounds; different methods of delivering those sounds; and utilising those instruments.”

This ensured the final piece is representative and appropriate, he says.

“Music has been an integral part of our cultural practices since time began.

“It’s our way of learning, of communication. Our form of mapping and movement. It’s an entity deeply entwined with our culture at every aspect.”

And this is particularly true of ceremony and university graduation.

“Since the dawn of time, music has been used to mark the handing down of knowledge. Our oral practice is, really, no different to the way we do it at universities.

You become a recipient of knowledge, are awarded, and accredited to hand that knowledge on.”

“Now, when people join at graduation ceremonies to reflect on their accomplishments, the knowledge they have gathered, and the skills they now have to share with their community, there will be this whole new dimension connecting them to the knowledge-gatherers of the past.”

A ‘deep culture of knowledge and ceremony‘

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett says it is time to refresh the music to a more meaningful composition.

One “that better embodies the university”, she says.

“Until now we’ve used the ‘Prince of Denmark’s March’ for graduations. Which is very fitting for a European ceremony, but not ideally suited for modern Australia.

“It reminds us we are all connected and serves as a reminder of the enduring power of knowledge in both ancient and modern contexts.

“As a modern university representing a diverse community, and with campuses based across the traditional lands of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of this country, it’s most fitting to commission this music honouring the deep history of the lands on which we live, work and study.”

The new song will be played when university leaders and teachers enter the ceremony wearing traditional academic dress.