Connecting Music, Language and Wellbeing: Health Songbook Project launches
August 5, 2025
The MLT is proud to have contributed to the development of The Health Song Book Project – a unique and free online resource that brings together Aboriginal languages, music and health. The project aims to make songs in Aboriginal languages accessible to community members and music therapists seeking ways to explore healing, therapy, and treatment through music. It includes both traditional and contemporary songs by Aboriginal musicians, along with information about their origins and creation.
The Health Song Book Project features 20 original songs representing 14 Aboriginal language groups and artists from across the country. It was created as a culturally safe tool for use in clinical and community settings. The intended use for this resource is for music therapists, healthcare practitioners and community members wanting to engage with Aboriginal language and music.
Each song is accompanied by professionally recorded audio, lyrics, sheet music and background notes on the artist and the origins of their songs. These resources have been developed with music therapists but remain available for everyone to access for free online.
The project was led by the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM), under the co-direction of Bundjalung musician Grayson Rotumah, alongside Associate Professor Luke Dollman, Dr John Baranoff, and Associate Professor Clemence Due. It was supported by the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation and funded through a grant from the Global Arts and Health Alliance.
The project features songs in Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Pitjantjatjara, Nukunu, Barkindji, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Kala Lagaw Ya (Torres Strait Islands) and features artists from a range of other languages from around Australia.
Music therapy is a health practise that addresses physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. By embedding Aboriginal languages and cultural knowledge into therapeutic practices, the Health Song Book Project offers a powerful tool for healing that is grounded in identity, community and connection.
The MLT is increasing focused on supporting projects that contribute to Closing the Gaps (CTG) through linking language activities (Target 16) with other CTG Targets (Target 2), such as health (see Katiti Wiru).
Explore the Health Song Book Project here.
Music therapist John Lattin, music therapist Maybelle Swaney, Associate Professor Luke Dollman from the University of Adelaide, CASM student Tilly Thomas, Grayson Rotumah from the University of Adelaide, CASM student Myles Turner. Provided by University of Adelaide.
