Lynn McShanag
Lynn was born in Castlemaine and is a 5th generation, Castlemainian. Her love for the bush evolved from her mother and childhood from weekend walks out through the Guilford bush lands from where her ancestors settled in the mid 1800’s. She 1st was drawn to the didgeridoo when she was in her mid 20’s after travelling overseas she realised that her connection with this land was not complete and she ventured up north in 87’ and acquired her 1st didge in Alice, a traditionally made aboriginal ‘C’ didge. From that point onwards she became involved with the journey of the didgeridoo, after her 2nd child in 1993 Lynn took her family and her didge to a New Year Confest (A massive annual earth praising festival, held on the Vic/NSW border) That was the inspiration to teach her self how to completely play the didge, within 3months not only had she carried her didge around as her third arm, she was the founder of the weekly women’s gatherings called “Drum Didge” This group developed into ‘The Wild Women’ a women’s community theatre group with Lynn writing, choreographing and producing performances for the “State Festival’s” Fringe Festival 1995 and “Maldon Folk Festival “ 1996 and 1997. She at this time was also venturing into a more musical content with the didge accompanying local a Capella group ‘Contraband Women’ 1995 – 2006. Lynn has been playing and performing for 14yrs at local community events and various State Festivals.
She was given permission by aboriginal elder the late ‘Mr Robert Mate Mate’ local historian and renowned astrologer to play and spread the news of the didge. She has travelled extensively in this land and overseas with her didge and family learning constantly of the didge’s relationship with the land and the effect of its vibration. Lynn has created and developed and coordinated workshops on sound and vibration of the didge for adults, also environmental awareness workshops for young children for preschools and primary schools. She is dedicated to community, the preservation of the environment and the integration of cultures.
‘In my lifetime there has been nothing more profound and inspiring as the world’s that open with the playing of the didgeridoo it is a piece of this land that can truly connect us. My love and respect for ‘This Land ‘, ‘The Didgeridoo’ and ‘Aboriginal Culture’ is absolute, and the didge has taught me to appreciate life of all forms. It is an instrument of many magic’s that has been carried with it since the beginnings of musical sound and within the consciousness of all human time.’
CO – PRODUCER - Castlemaine Fringe Festival CD
COREOGRAPHER - ‘The Element Dream’ , C/maine Fringe Festival ‘Evolution’ , Maldon Folk Festival
‘ The Great Rainbow Serpent’, Maldon Folk Festival
COORDINATER- ‘Wild Womens Festival’
THE CONTRABAND WOMEN
Maldon Folk Festival,1999 – 2005
Boite Winter Festival, 1999 – 2004
Amnesty International Monash
Castlemaine State Festival 2005
WORKSHOPS - Local pre schools and primary schools 1995 - present
Adult - Maldon Folk Festival
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