A full house gathered at the Sydney Writers’ Festival for Baraya Barray – Whale Song, a breathtaking evening of story, song, and poetry.

This panel discussion led by First Nations artists and cultural leaders uncovers how poetry can celebrate cultural ways of sharing story and encourages us to listen more deeply to the wisdom of Country.

Musician and composer Eric Avery sets the tone, opening with a violin performance inspired by the sounds of whales. Dhurga language holder, teacher and contemporary traditional dancer Elizabeth Luland, award-winning multi-disciplinary artist Kirli Saunders, alongside Eric Avery and host Luke Patterson share powerful stories of Country and kinship in this deeply moving and unforgettable panel, alive with cultural truth.

Held at the Sydney Writers’ Festival in 2025, this panel was part of Red Room Poetry’s ground-breaking program for First Nations school children and communities, Baraya Barray - Whale Song.

Baraya Barray - Whale Song celebrates the importance of First Nations languages and the natural environment. Through this program, young First Nations people connect with their community Elders, Language Custodians, scientists, poets and musicians to learn about and respond to the east coast Whale songline through the creation of poems, song and dance. Listening closely to our non-human kin and Country, it asks the question - ‘What can we learn from our first language holders?'

Learn more about Baraya Barray: https://redroompoetry.org/projects/baraya-barray-whale-song/

Support the show: https://redroompoetry.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaine Melrose reads their poem ‘Bees of the Antipodes’ commissioned as part of the 2025 Red Room Poetry Fellowship.

Find out more and apply for the 2026 Red Room Poetry Fellowship here.

Shaine Melrose is a queer writer/poet, retired gardener, living with chronic illness on Kaurna Yerta, in the Adelaide Hills. Shaine's poetry has been widely published and recently her debut collection The Natural World Somersaults was released by Walleah Press.

Applications for the 2026 Red Room Poetry Fellowship open 9am, Tuesday 2 December 2025 and close 5pm, Tuesday 3 February 2026 (AEDT).

The Red Room Poetry Fellowship is presented in partnership with Varuna - the National Writers House, and thanks to our generous program supporters Bret Walker AO SC, Tim Game SC and The Adès Family Foundation.

Support the show: https://redroompoetry.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Xiaole Zhan (詹小乐) reads their poem ‘Dragon Fruit’ commissioned as part of the 2025 Red Room Poetry Fellowship.

Find out more and apply for the 2026 Red Room Poetry Fellowship here.

Xiaole is a Chinese-Aotearoa writer and composer based in Naarm. They are the 2024 Kat Muscat Fellow, and the winner of the 2023 Kill Your Darlings Non-Fiction Prize.

Applications for the 2026 Red Room Poetry Fellowship open 9am, Tuesday 2 December 2025 and close 5pm, Tuesday 3 February 2026 (AEDT).

The Red Room Poetry Fellowship is presented in partnership with Varuna - the National Writers House, and thanks to our generous program supporters Bret Walker AO SC, Tim Game SC and The Adès Family Foundation.

Support the show: https://redroompoetry.org/donate/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.