THE MAGIC FLUTE PLAYER… Australia Day Ambassador Jane Rutter and Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM re-ceived celebratory cupcakes from Parkes Scouts Patrol Leader Marcus Hughes (middle).
Beautiful flute music filled the airwaves at the Australia Day celebrations at the Cooke Park Pavilion on Wednesday.
The Parkes Shire’s Australia Day Ambassador Jane Rutter, also known as the First Lady of the Flute, not only entertained a good crowd of over 200 people with her magical flute playing, but gave an inspiring speech too.
“My best messages come through my flute playing. In the French style of playing the flute is used as a story teller, and this makes me feel really close to Aboriginal people who have kept our land alive for over 40,000 years by singing their stories and songlines,” said Jane.
“Today is one of great respect and reflection, of that kind of deep silence that Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, Senior Australian of the Year, talks about that goes deep into your cellular memory and you think about where you belong and how you belong to this planet.
“Part of this connection to our land, and history is the birthright of everybody to be creatively fulfilled. You don’t have to sing, or be an artist. It could be about how you breed cattle, bake a cake or feed the family. It is just that sense of passion to be inspired about your life. Aussies are really quietly good at this and we need to nurture it in our young people.
“I love sharing the joy and sense of connection to our planet and universe and other people, when I play my flute.”
By Maggi Barnard